Dream Backpack 1 (2023), volcanic rock and objects collected from a ritual ofretracing the artists original migration route, 16 1/4 x 12 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches. All photos by JSP Art Photography, courtesy of Guadalupe Maravilla and PPOW, shared with permissionGuadalupe Maravillas Volcanic Rock Sculptures Invoke Resilience and RegenerationDecember 13, 2024ArtGrace EbertWith the regions smallest geographic footprint, El Salvador boasts the second-highest number of volcanos in Central America. The country is located on the Ring of Fire, a tectonic band that encircles the Pacific Ocean and houses about two-thirds of all volcanos worldwide. Given its eruptive landscape, much of the soil is rich in ash.In a series of sculptures, Guadalupe Maravilla (previously) draws on his home country as he sculpts backpacks and enlarged hands from volcanic rock. The works reference the artists migration from civil war-era El Salvador as an unaccompanied minor, a traumatic journey that remains a central theme in his practice.Luz y Fuerza (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 14 x 14 x 4 inchesA trio of pieces, titled Dream Backpacks, refers to how we immigrate to the U.S. by land and carry everything we own in a backpack in search of the American Dream, Maravilla writes in a statement. Embellished with pink, purple, and blue paints, the poignant works display a variety of charmsfeathers, a small cat figure, and metal details like a spigotthe artist collected while retracing his childhood route.Other works take the form of a burly hand cradling smooth shapes featuring pieces redolent of retablos,small devotional paintings often invoking protection during times of hardship. Lightning bolts, stars, and snakes recur throughout the compositions, along with references to the artists colon cancer diagnosis, which he has long linked to the trauma he suffered as a child.December 12 is special to Maravilla and titles one recent work featuring linked wishbones, crystals, and the childrens rhyme Sana, sana, colita de rana, which translates to heal, heal, little frogs tail. As Maravilla shares on Instagram, On 12/12/12 I found out I had cancer. 12/12/13 I overcame cancer. Today, I am starting a new chapter 12/12/24 with a special meditation. Similarly, a cake with a 0 candle appears in Luz y Fuerza, which resembles a pastry the artist once used to celebrate both his birthday and what he considers his rebirth as cancer-free.Citing resilience amid struggle, Maravillas sculptures call on healing and regeneration. Volcanic ash, after all, is one of the most potent natural fertilizers and a key factor in sparking new growth.Maravilla is represented by PPOW Galleryin New York, where you can find more of his work.12/12/24 (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 13 3/8 x 13 3/8 x 4 1/8 inchesDream Backpack 3 (2023), volcanic rock and objects collected from a ritual ofretracing the artists original migration route, 16 1/4 x 12 x 4 3/4 inchesSelf Love (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 13 3/8 x 13 3/4 x 4 7/8 inchesHeal Seven Years Back (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 13 3/8 x 13 3/4 x 5 1/2 inchesDream Backpack 2 (2023), volcanic rock and objects collected from a ritual of retracing the artists original migration route, 16 1/2 x 12 1/4 x 4 1/4 inchesSana 7 Aos Atras (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 14 1/8 x 14 x 4 3/4 inchesSi No Sanas Hoy Sanars Maana (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 13 3/8 x 14 1/8 x 4 3/8 inchesSana Sana Colita de Rana (2024), oil on volcanic rock, 14 1/8 x 13 3/4 x 4 7/8 inchesNext article

All images Todd Antony, shared with permissionOur Favorite Stories of 2024December 13, 2024ColossalAs we look back at the hundreds of remarkable initiatives, artworks, discoveries, and events weve chronicled throughout 2024, were continually awed by the creative work were able to write about everyday. Its a privilege to be able to share so much creativity with you, and we thought wed compile a list of our favorites.Below, youll find eight pickstwo from each of usthat showcase just a few of the remarkable projects we published over the past twelve months. Many of these articles impart deeper context, delve into personal experiences through interviews, and highlight important stories that may have flown under the radar.You might also enjoy our readers choice top articles of the year and Colossals favorite books of 2024. Happy reading!Christopher, Grace, Kate, and JackieImage Irina WerningFor the last 17 years,Irina Werninghas traveled throughout Latin America photographing women and girls for her ongoing series,Las Pelilargas, orThe Longhairs. Shot in color and black and white, the portraits document a distinct cultural practice through an incredibly alluring, even surreal lens.L.V. Hull at her home in Kosciusko, Mississippi, in 2002. Photo by Bruce West. Image courtesy of the L.V. Hull Legacy CenterKosciusko is a small town in the center of Mississippi with just under 7,000 residents. Known as the birthplace of Oprah Winfrey, Kosciusko was also home to the late artistL.V. Hull(19422008) who devoted her life to painting and assembling found objects.Ellie Hannon works on one of her paintings on the aft deck during sunset on the Timor Sea around Ashmore Reef. Images Schmidt Ocean InstituteThere are many ways to tell a story or to document and share research and discoveries, says artist Ellie Hannon, one of 54 artists who have embarked on a unique residency organized by theSchmidt Ocean Institute. From slip-cast porcelain and painting to 3D printing and virtual reality, the storytelling possibilities are endless in the Artist-at-Sea program, which invites artists to work alongside scientists on weeks-long expeditions into some of the least-explored areas of our oceans.Image courtesy of the artistChristophers Pick: Nadya Tolokonnikova On Pussy Riot, Life as Performance Art, and How Anonymity Is Her StrengthPeople often dont think about how important a person who has a photo and video camera is. The action could be gorgeous, but if you dont have a good photographer to capture it, then its just not gonna work. Nadya TolokonnikovaNadya Tolokonnikovacreated Pussy Riot in 2011 partly in response toVladimir Putins declarationthat he would continue his reign over Russia. In 2012, when she and her collaborators undertook their now-famous performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, she was infamously sentenced to two years in prison, vaulting the art collective to international fame. Grace Ebert, Colossals editorial director, spoke with Nadya over Zoom one Saturday in February, more than a decade since Pussy Riots founding, her imprisonment, and her release.A Wind Phone in Evanston, Illinois. Image courtesy of Amy DawsonGarden designer Itaru Sasaki lost his cousin to cancer just months before a 9.1-magnitude earthquake devastated his town, the small fishing village of Otsuchi. In an attempt to wrangle his grief, he decided to create a space for mourning in his backyard, one that would offer quiet and a symbolic connection to his loved one. He called it Kaze no denwa, or Phone of the Wind.Containing photos and stories from the creators, Amy Dawsons searchable map tracks more than 300 Wind Phones around the globe, each individually installed and maintained.The Two Walls by Alejandro Cegarra, The New York Times/Bloomberg. Image courtesy of World Press PhotosFrom Israels ongoing assault leaving the people of Gaza in horrific destitution to a record-breaking surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, the last year has seen incredible devastation around the globe. The 2024World Press Photocontest gathers a profound and illuminating collection of images that approach myriad crises with compassion and clarity.Replica of a Chip (1994), wool mounted on wood, 120 146.1 centimeters. Photo Museum Associates/LACMA. Image courtesy of American Indian Science and Engineering SocietyWhat does Intels Pentium computer chip have in common with Navajo textiles? More than you might think. For artistMarilou Schultz, the ancestral practice of weaving melds with an unexpected contemporary source of inspiration. Merging analog loom methods with the patterns found on computer processor cores, Schultz entwines the histories of the Navajo people and modern technology.Image Todd AntonyOriginally meant as a pejorative term,cholitahas been embraced by Aymara and Quechua women, who have adopted the name as a signal of pride. PhotographerTodd Antony caught up with a group who call themselves the Climbing Cholitas, and a breathtaking series of images was born inCholitas Escaladoras.Previous articleNext article

By Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show Published December 13, 2024 3:05pm EST close Jimmy Joins 'Fox & Friends' To Share His Thoughts On The TikTok 'Venmo Mom' During an appearance on "Fox & Friends", Jimmy Failla gives his take on a mother in Tennessee who came up with an interesting alternative for volunteering in her kids' classrooms or for their extracurricular activities. "Reminder: You've still got a money request!" That was the subject line of the messages flooding my husband Barrys inbox for weeks. The first couple were concerning, then it was just downright annoying.Enter to win a $500 Amazon gift card. No purchase required.Hes not the only one getting them; theres a sneaky scam going around that looks totally legit because it actually comes from PayPal.Lets take a closer look at how it works so you dont fall for it.DONT SCAM YOURSELF WITH THE TRICKS HACKERS DONT WANT ME TO SHAREHeres how it goes downLucky for us, scammers use the same tricks. This one is getting common enough, its easy to spot if youre careful.First, you receive an invoice via PayPal. It might say something like, "Payment due for a purchase" or tell you a payment was processed due to a technical error.It looks real because it was sent through PayPal's platform. They hope youll panic and act without thinking. PayPal is a trusted platform, so when you see their logo and familiar format, its easy to let your guard down. A woman is pictured using a phone. (iStock)Related:Dont fall for it! Hackers are trying to get you to scam yourselfIts a bogus invoice, of coursePayPal allows anyone with an account to send an invoice, which scammers exploit to make it seem legit.In the invoice notice is a phone number you can call for support. Its listed as PayPals number, but its someone ready to steal your money and info. All the scam emails Ive reviewed had different numbers attached.12 EASY, TECHY WAYS TO MAKE THE HOLIDAY SMOOTHERCalling the fake support number is the worst thing you can do. The scammer might ask for your login details or payment card information to 'resolve the issue.' In some cases, theyll install malware on your device, stealing passwords and financial details in the background."Related:How to spot and stop it This March 10, 2015, file photo, shows signage outside PayPals headquarters in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)PayPal will never send invoices for random purchases you didnt authorize. If something seems off, trust your instincts and double-check before taking action.Check the details: Look at the senders email and transaction history. If its not a company or person you recognize, its likely a scam.Double-check the invoice recipient:Thats another glaring red flag in this case. All the emails I saw had someone other than my husband listed in small text at the top. Look carefully.Dont call any of the phone numbers listed: This is smart with any strange invoice, call, document, email, text, whatever. Dont use contact info thats included. Go to the official website to find it.I looked this one up for you: PayPals real support number is 1-888-221-1161. They take calls from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT every day.THIS CRIME SHOT UP 400% HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELFWhen in doubt, your best bet is to contact customer service. Theyre much more familiar with scam patterns then most regular folks since they see them day in and day out. Plus, they can look into your account to tell you what is a legitimate request and whats not.If youre sure the invoice is fake, delete it. But first Report it to PayPal.Consider this your good deed of the day. Reporting scams doesnt just help you it helps everyone. When you flag fake invoices to PayPal, their team can track patterns, shut down scammers accounts and warn others about similar tactics.Log in to your PayPal account, then visit theResolution Center, where you can report suspicious invoices.Even easier, forward the email tophishing@paypal.com to alert their security team.Related:3 immediate steps to take if you fell for a scam A person is pictured holding a stack of twenty-dollar bills. (iStock)Lock down your account for extra securityIf you dont have two-factor authentication set up, dont wait. It only takes a minute. Now youll get a code when you log in. Annoying? A little. But its worth the extra step on any account tied to your finances.Log in to your PayPal account on a browser. Click the Settings icon > Security > 2-step verification. You can use an authenticator app or receive codes as text messages. Pro tip:An authenticator app is the more secure option.Follow the on-screen directions to finish up.Scams like this are sneaky, but theyre easy to spot if you know what to look for. Share this with your friends and family so they dont fall for it.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 575,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Published December 13, 2024 10:00am EST close How to protect yourself from identity theft Simple ways to stay secure Identity theft has become a pervasive issue, affecting millions of Americans each year. In 2023 alone, American adults lost a staggering $43 billion to identity fraud. The following story illustrates the devastating impact this crime can have on individuals:Paula Disberry, a former Colgate-Palmolive employee, was living a comfortable life when she discovered that her 401(k) account had been drained of $750,000. The shock came when she tried to access her account online, only to find it blocked.A fraudster had impersonated her, changing her contact details and withdrawing her entire retirement savings in a single transaction. Stories like this of financial identity theft are becoming all too common. If you live in the U.S., youve likely already encountered one, or worse, experienced it firsthand. Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Think identity theft won't happen to you? Think againThe FBI's Internet Crime Report for 2023reveals that adults 60 and above accounted for 24.08% of all identity theft claims and suffered 41.46% of the total financial losses. While they may not face a higher risk of becoming victims, the financial toll is significantly greater than any other age group. Older adults, especially those over 60, often feel the impact more deeply. Why? They typically have more assets than younger individuals and are less likely to monitor their bank accounts daily. Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)An age-old scam with a high-tech makeoverIdentity theft has been a concern for centuries, with one of the most famous historical impostors beingFrank Abagnale Jr. Abagnale claims to have successfully impersonated various professionals in the 1960s, including a Pan Am pilot and a doctor, forging checks and documents to amass a small fortune. His alleged exploits were so notorious that they inspired the film "Catch Me If You Can."While Abagnale's story is a dramatic example, modern identity theft has evolved into a more pervasive threat, particularly with the rise of digital technology. The widespread availability of personal information on the web, combined with a lack of regulation preventing companies from collecting data without consent, has made it easier for criminals to exploit personal data. The scale is massive, and the impact can severely disrupt your life and that of your family. A woman working on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Red flags to look out forBeing aware of the warning signs of identity theft can help you take action before it's too late. Here are some red flags to watch for.Unexplained account activity: Keep an eye out for unfamiliar transactions or changes in your bank or credit card statements that you dont recognize.Credit report changes: Regularly check your credit report for new accounts that you did not open or inquiries from lenders that you did not initiate.Missing mail or bills: If you stop receiving bills or other important mail, it could indicate that someone has changed your address without your knowledge.Unexpected denials:If you're denied credit unexpectedly, it might be a sign that someone is using your information to apply for loans or credit cards.Strange communication: Be cautious of emails, texts or calls asking for personal information, especially if they create a sense of urgency or fear.Unusual password changes:If you notice changes to your online accounts that you did not make, such as password resets or security questions being altered, act quickly to secure your accounts.Alerts from identity theft protection services: If you use an identity theft protection service and receive alerts about suspicious activity, investigate immediately.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Strengthen your defenses nowIdentity theft doesnt have to be a devastating blow. You can significantly reduce your risk by being more mindful of your online habits. Heres how.1. Monitor your accounts regularly: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements to spot unauthorized transactions early. This can prevent financial losses and protect your assets.2. Use strong passwords: Use complex passwords and apassword manager to secure your online accounts. Strong passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats.3. Stop oversharing: Limit the personal information you share on social media and other platforms. Its a treasure trove for cybercriminals who use it to craft convincing fraud campaigns targeted specifically at you.4. Invest in personal data removal services:Given the alarming rise in identity theft cases, taking proactive measures to safeguard your personal information is essential. One effective strategy is to invest in personal data removal services. hile no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.5. Freeze your credit: Initiate a credit freeze on your credit file with all three major credit bureaus. This restricts access to your credit records, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.6. Use an identity theft protection service:Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.7. Use two-factor authentication: Enablethis extra layer of security on your accounts to make it more difficult for thieves to access your information, even if they obtain your password.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE8. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Avoid usingpublic Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions or use a VPN to encrypt your online activity. Using aVPN (virtual private network) service can enhance your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers and third parties to intercept your data, especially on public Wi-Fi. A VPN masks your IP address, helping to obscure your location and online activity. While VPNs dont directly prevent phishing emails, they reduce the exposure of your browsing habits to trackers that may use this data maliciously. With a VPN, you can securely access your email accounts from anywhere, even in areas with restrictive internet policies.9. Shred sensitive documents: Regularly shred financial documents, credit offers and other paperwork containing personal information before disposing of them.10. Set up bank alerts: Many financial institutions offer text or email alerts for transactions on your accounts, helping you quickly spot unauthorized activity.11. Have strong antivirus software:The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.12. Keep software updated: Ensure your devices and antivirus software are up to date.Regular updates often include security patches that protect against vulnerabilities that scammers might exploit. Keeping your software current is a critical step in safeguarding your digital assets.Kurt's key takeawaysWhile the statistics are sobering, they don't have to leave you feeling helpless. Identity theft is a serious threat, but with awareness and proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk. Remember, criminals are constantly evolving their tactics, which means we must stay one step ahead. The most powerful weapon against identity theft is knowledge. Understanding how these scams work, recognizing potential red flags and taking preventive measures can make all the difference.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDo you believe that governments should impose stricter regulations on how companies collect and use personal data to better protect consumers? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Its that time of year where we, in the industry, attempt to be cyber soothsayers. A tall order even more so when youre trying to look ahead to 2030.The cyber security landscape is in a state of flux, and the past five years has kept us on our toes. As I do my best to peer into the crystal ball of the late 2020s, its clear that the challenges facing CISOs and their teams will become even more complex. From the persistent threat of ransomware to the rise of cyber sabotage, the threat landscape is undergoing a big transformation. And the implications go beyond just the technical the potential for personal liability for security leaders is also a looming issue that could reshape our roles.Here are my thoughts on the exciting and chaotic opportunities that we might see emerging in the next five years.Ransomware will persist, but a blurring of cyber and physical sabotage attacks targeting critical infrastructure specifically may become more prevalent. This is due to the blurred lines between state-sponsored and criminal activities.Sabotage in cyber security means intentionally causing damage to, or manipulation of, digital data or systems, with the intent to disrupt operations, cause damage, or compromise security. Cyber attackers may aim to disrupt operations and compromise the integrity of computer systems and networks. This malicious activity can have severe consequences ranging from temporary disruption to serious long-term issues, financial losses, and data breaches.Sabotage is interesting as it represents a departure from where we were five to 10 years ago in the cyber security landscape. Previously, cyber security professionals didnt have to consider sabotage as a primary threat but thats changing. The interesting thing here is that cyber sabotage isnt new, but the impact that it can have is increasing and will continue to do so.Recent incidents that suggest sabotage is more of a concern, exemplified by the Nord Stream gas pipeline attacks and a recent fibre optic cable incident in the Baltic Sea. These types of physical attacks on critical infrastructure are being viewed as potential acts of sabotage. Sabotage is quite a political issue, which means cyber security professionals may need to be careful in the coming years to avoid getting involved in sensitive geopolitical matters.The advent of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) will introduce new risks and unintended consequences that organisations will need to manage, such as data ownership and privacy issues. This is alongside the fact that if we start to make key decisions using AI, we need to ensure that they have robust and explainable safeguards around them. One exciting area is the UKs AI Safety Institute and the way they are looking at the safe usage of Frontier AI models.AI is a powerful technology that can be used both beneficially and maliciously. While it can enable efficiency gains and help defend against threats, it also has the potential for misuse. The growth of these technologies will introduce new and accidental risks and consequences that organisations will need to manage.What if an organisation puts all their data into an AI-enabled system, and then the system fails or the company goes bankrupt? There could be issues around who owns the data and what happens to it, such as it being sold off to the highest bidder. Take 23andMe who owns that data now?We need to carefully consider the ethical implications of adopting AI and other emerging technologies to avoid negative outcomes like these.The Computer Weekly Security Think Tank looks aheadMike Gillespie and Ellie Hurst, Advent IM:CISOs will face growing challenges in 2025 and beyond.Elliot Rose, PA Consulting:The most pressing challenges for CISOs and cyber security teams.Pierre-Martin Tardif, ISACA:Six trends that will define cyber through to 2030.Stephen McDermid, Okta:In 2025: Identities conquer, and hopefully unite.Deepti Gopal, Gartner: CISOs: Don't rely solely on technical defences in 2025.Cyber security is something people are talking about at the dinner table. I cant decide whether its good or sobering that my mum now talks about it. This increased awareness and attention on cyber security is leading to a situation where CISOs are held to a higher standard and face greater pressure to make the right decisions.The decisions a CISO makes are reflective of risks and usually were just trying to stop someone from making an accidental problem. If we make the wrong call, are CISOs accountable and responsible from a legal perspective?There is an ongoing discussion around whether CISOs should have personal liability insurance, like how company directors do. This is because the decisions made by CISOs on behalf of the organisation can be seen as risk decisions, and if those decisions turn out to be wrong, the CISO could potentially be held accountable.We might start to see CISOs held legally accountable, either in a civil suit or even a criminal case, if they make a decision that leads to a security incident or breach much like the Uber case.While my crystal ball might be a bit hazy for the next five years, one thing is clear: CISOs and security teams will face a variety of challenges. With more regulations, a heightened threat environment, and the potential for cyber sabotage, we'll need to strike a careful balance.But it's not all doom and gloom! There's plenty to be optimistic about. The growing awareness of cybersecurity opens doors to attract diverse talent and foster greater industry collaboration. Plus, AI promises more efficient and better defences against threats. By tackling potential risks head-on, we can embrace the positives of these trends and be well-prepared for the future.

As we celebrate the festive season and look ahead to 2025, its clear that artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming the way businesses operate. These technologies are not only driving efficiency and saving time but also enabling a shift towards more strategic, value-driven work.For managed services teams in particular, AI and automation have traditionally been used to streamline processes, eliminate human error, and enhance customer value. But the role of AI is expanding rapidly in this space, snowballing to elevate standards of service delivery and giving teams a competitive edge.For years, AI has been primarily employed to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex and strategic activities. Automation has been invaluable in reducing the time spent on routine processes, minimising errors, and ensuring consistency. Managed Service teams have leveraged AI to manage success metrics and deliver services efficiently, even when under pressure to meet rising customer expectations. These traditional applications of AI have played a critical role in delivering quick responses and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.As we wrap up warm for the festive season, its worth reflecting on how AI has ensured smoother operations and happier customers throughout the year. The efficiency gains and reduction of errors achieved through automation have become vital components in the ongoing drive for service excellence.Today, managed service teams are using AI beyond simple automation. AI is increasingly being integrated into sophisticated applications from predictive analytics to customer interaction and proactive maintenance. Advanced AI tools now analyse vast datasets, providing businesses with insights that allow them to anticipate issues before they arise and optimise their operations accordingly.Looking towards 2025, the future of AI in managed services is filled with potential. AI will continue to enhance customer engagement through personalised services, enabling businesses to offer tailored experiences that were previously impossible. Additionally, AI will play a central role in improving decision-making processes by providing deeper insights into operational data. This will give businesses the power to make more informed, data-driven decisions and further elevate the customer experience.The evolution of AI promises a new era of intelligent service delivery. Predictive analytics and proactive maintenance will become industry standards. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday operations, the way managed services are delivered will be transformed, with service providers offering more anticipatory, data-driven solutions.Despite clear benefits, there are still barriers to overcome to enable the widespread adoption of AI in managed services.A key challenge is bringing everyone onboard. While younger employees may be enthusiastic about AI, others may be sceptical or resistant, fearing that AI might threaten their roles or make their jobs obsolete. Addressing employee concerns with unity and collaboration, much like the spirit of the holiday season, is essential. Emphasising how AI can enhance, rather than replace, employee roles will be critical for a smooth transition to AI-driven workflows.Training and upskilling initiatives will also help highlight how AI can make jobs more engaging by taking over mundane tasks. When employees see the tangible benefits of AI in their day-to-day work, they will be more likely to embrace these changes.The 12 Days of AIOn the First day of AI, we explore how AI is being used in marketing, the benefits and key use cases, as well as concerns and how marketerscan best take advantage of the technology.On the Second Day of AI, we look at the importance of truly understanding what AI isto enable true organisational transformation.On the Third Day of AI, we explore some of the key trends to keep an eye on, and prepare for,in 2025.On the Fourth Day of AI, we discuss the value of adopting AI responsibly, and outlines how businesses can build responsible adoptioninto their plans.On the Fifth Day of AI, we explore how AI is reshaping HR boosting productivity, addressing concerns,and preparing organisations for the future.On the Sixth Day of AI, we explore how leveraging AI and cloud can enhance business performance and sharetips for successful implementation.On the Seventh Day of AI, we explore the double-edged sword of AI in cybersecurity and how businesses can protect themselvesagainst the cyber grinches.On the Eighth Day of AI, we explore the key considerations and strategic frameworks essential for extractingmaximum value from AI projects.On the Ninth Day of AI, we explore the critical role data plays in AI implementation and the key steps business leaders must take to prepare their data for a successful AI future.As we look ahead to 2025, the role of AI in managed services is poised to expand even further. AI will increasingly be relied upon to handle customer alerts, analyse large volumes of data from monitoring platforms, and generate more accurate and insightful reports. This will allow customer success managers to engage more deeply with their clients, fostering stronger relationships and driving higher renewal rates.The journey towards full AI integration in managed services may be challenging, but the rewards of increased efficiency, customer satisfaction, and strategic insight make it a worthwhile endeavour. As we move into the new year, embracing AIs potential will be crucial for organisations looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.Ben Clarke is director of managed services support atANS, a digital transformation provider and Microsofts UK Services Partner of the Year 2024. Headquartered in Manchester, it offers public and private cloud, security, business applications, low code, and data services to thousands of customers, from enterprise to SMB and public sector organisations.

A flurry of inflammatory headlines this week insisted that Microsoft had 'raised the white flag' and would allow customers to upgrade old Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11. That's not true. Here's how the comedy of errors unfolded.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, AI chatbots have soared in popularity because of their ability to do a wide range of tasks that can help you with your personal and work life. AI chatbots canwrite code, compose emails, draft reports,generate art,write Excel formulas, and much more -- at your command.Also: ChatGPT finally gets easier to organize on the 7th day of OpenAIChatGPTachieved worldwide recognition, motivating competitors to create their own versions. As a result, there are many options on the market with different strengths, use cases, difficulty levels, and other nuances.For the past two years, I have taken a deep dive into artificial intelligence and tested as many AI tools as possible -- including dozens of AI chatbots. Using my findings and those of other AI experts at ZDNET, I have created a comprehensive list of the best AI chatbots on the market.This list details everything you need to know before choosing your next AI assistant, including what it's best for, its pros and cons, cost, its large language model (LLM), and more. Whether you're new to AI chatbots or a regular user, this list should help you discover a fresh option you haven't tried before.What is the best AI chatbot right now?In May 2024, OpenAI supercharged the free version of ChatGPT, solving its biggest pain points and lapping other AI chatbots on the market. For that reason, ChatGPT moved to the top of the list, making it the best AI chatbot available now. However, sometimes, like in the past week, ChatGPT servers can go down, and you may need a backup.Also: I test AI tools for a living, and these are the only two worth paying forAlthough such outages are infrequent, having another chatbot in your back pocket is always a good idea. Keep reading to discover why and how ChatGPT compares to Copilot, You.com, Perplexity, and more.The best AI chatbots of 2024 Show less View now at ChatGPT ChatGPT is a hugely successfulconversational AI chatbotreleased in November 2022 by OpenAI. It has advanced capabilities, such as performing writing tasks well, including composing emails, essays, resumes, and lists. It is also highly proficient in STEM tasks likewritinganddebugging codeand solving complex math equations.Copilot outperformed earlier versions of ChatGPT because it addressed some of ChatGPT's biggest pain points at the time, including a lack of Internet access and a knowledge cutoff.Also: How to use ChatGPT to digitize your handwritten notes for freeHowever, in May 2024, OpenAI supercharged its AI chatbot, solving all those problems and giving it some of the most competitive features on the market -- primarily its latest LLM GPT-4o, which provides the chatbot with web browsing, vision, data analysis, file uploads, and GPTs.Many of those features were previously limited to ChatGPT Plus, the chatbot's subscription tier, making the recent update a huge win for users of the free version.Getting started with ChatGPT is easier than ever since OpenAI stopped requiring users to log in. Now, you can start chatting with ChatGPT simply by visiting its website. However, if you want to access the advanced features, you must sign in, and creating a free account is easy.ChatGPT features:Uses OpenAI's GPT-4o or GPT-4o mini when at capacity | Can generate text, solve math problems, and code | Impressive conversation capabilities | Free to the public Pros Writing skills STEM knowledge Conversational Cons Limits to GPT-4o Boots free users down to GPT-4o-mini when at capacity ChatGPT is a hugely successfulconversational AI chatbotreleased in November 2022 by OpenAI. It has advanced capabilities, such as performing writing tasks well, including composing emails, essays, resumes, and lists. It is also highly proficient in STEM tasks likewritinganddebugging codeand solving complex math equations.Copilot outperformed earlier versions of ChatGPT because it addressed some of ChatGPT's biggest pain points at the time, including a lack of Internet access and a knowledge cutoff.Also: How to use ChatGPT to digitize your handwritten notes for freeHowever, in May 2024, OpenAI supercharged its AI chatbot, solving all those problems and giving it some of the most competitive features on the market -- primarily its latest LLM GPT-4o, which provides the chatbot with web browsing, vision, data analysis, file uploads, and GPTs.Many of those features were previously limited to ChatGPT Plus, the chatbot's subscription tier, making the recent update a huge win for users of the free version.Getting started with ChatGPT is easier than ever since OpenAI stopped requiring users to log in. Now, you can start chatting with ChatGPT simply by visiting its website. However, if you want to access the advanced features, you must sign in, and creating a free account is easy.ChatGPT features:Uses OpenAI's GPT-4o or GPT-4o mini when at capacity | Can generate text, solve math problems, and code | Impressive conversation capabilities | Free to the public Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Microsoft In February 2023, Microsoft unveiled a new AI-improved Bing, now known as Copilot. This tool runs on GPT-4 Turbo, which means that Copilot has the same intelligence as ChatGPT, which runs on GPT-4o.In October, Copilot rebranded, making its UI much more modern, welcoming, and user-friendly. The rebrand also came with a ton of new features, including being able to chat using Copilot Voice, Copilot's version of ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, but for free.Also:If these chatbots could talk: The most popular ways people are using AI toolsBesides those capabilities, Copilot already had most of the features the free version of ChatGPT gained in May, including access to current events, attribution (or linking to the sources it retrieved from), browsing the internet, uploading images and documents, generating images, and more.Copilot is the best ChatGPT alternative as it has almost all the same benefits. Copilot is free to use, and getting started is as easy as visiting the Copilot website. The tool also has an app and is accessible via Bing.Copilot features:OpenAI GPT-4 |Has access to the internet |Works like a search engine with information on current events | Free Pros Access to the internet Links back to sources Uses OpenAI's LLM Cons Grounded in Bing Not as strong as ChatGPT In February 2023, Microsoft unveiled a new AI-improved Bing, now known as Copilot. This tool runs on GPT-4 Turbo, which means that Copilot has the same intelligence as ChatGPT, which runs on GPT-4o.In October, Copilot rebranded, making its UI much more modern, welcoming, and user-friendly. The rebrand also came with a ton of new features, including being able to chat using Copilot Voice, Copilot's version of ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, but for free.Also:If these chatbots could talk: The most popular ways people are using AI toolsBesides those capabilities, Copilot already had most of the features the free version of ChatGPT gained in May, including access to current events, attribution (or linking to the sources it retrieved from), browsing the internet, uploading images and documents, generating images, and more.Copilot is the best ChatGPT alternative as it has almost all the same benefits. Copilot is free to use, and getting started is as easy as visiting the Copilot website. The tool also has an app and is accessible via Bing.Copilot features:OpenAI GPT-4 |Has access to the internet |Works like a search engine with information on current events | Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Claude Anthropic launched its first AI assistant, Claude, in February 2023. Like its leading competitors, Anthropic can answer prompts conversationally for anything you need assistance with, including coding, math, writing, research, and more.Also: This free tool from Anthropic helps you create better AI promptsAlthough I have given this chatbot various superlatives in the past, including the best AI chatbot for image interpretation and the best for chatting, I would say that -- at the moment -- the biggest advantage of this chatbot is that it prioritizes privacy.Anthropic has made it as transparent as possible that it will never use a user's prompts to train its models unless the user's conversation has been flagged for Trust & Safety review, explicitly reported the materials, or explicitly opted into training. Furthermore, Anthropic has never automatically used user data to train its models.Also: Claude 3.5 Haiku now available to all users - how to try itBeyond its transparency, it is also a highly capable chatbot. If you want to use the chatbot regularly, upgrading to Claude Pro may be a better option, as it offers at least five times the usage limits compared to the free version for $20 a month.Claude features: Powered by Claude 3 model family| Accepts document uploads| Trained with information up to 2023| Free Pros Upload document support Chat controls Light and dark mode Cons Unclear usage cap Knowledge cutoff Anthropic launched its first AI assistant, Claude, in February 2023. Like its leading competitors, Anthropic can answer prompts conversationally for anything you need assistance with, including coding, math, writing, research, and more.Also: This free tool from Anthropic helps you create better AI promptsAlthough I have given this chatbot various superlatives in the past, including the best AI chatbot for image interpretation and the best for chatting, I would say that -- at the moment -- the biggest advantage of this chatbot is that it prioritizes privacy.Anthropic has made it as transparent as possible that it will never use a user's prompts to train its models unless the user's conversation has been flagged for Trust & Safety review, explicitly reported the materials, or explicitly opted into training. Furthermore, Anthropic has never automatically used user data to train its models.Also: Claude 3.5 Haiku now available to all users - how to try itBeyond its transparency, it is also a highly capable chatbot. If you want to use the chatbot regularly, upgrading to Claude Pro may be a better option, as it offers at least five times the usage limits compared to the free version for $20 a month.Claude features: Powered by Claude 3 model family| Accepts document uploads| Trained with information up to 2023| Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Perplexity Perplexity AI is a free AI chatbot connected to the internet that provides sources and has an enjoyable UI. As soon as you visit the site, using the chatbot is straightforward -- type your prompt into the "ask anything" box to get started.A title above the textbox reads, "Where knowledge begins" -- and it could not be more fitting.Also: 5 reasons why I prefer Perplexity over every other AI chatbotWhen you click on the textbox, the tool offers a series of suggested prompts, mostly rooted in news. The chatbot also displays suggested prompts on evergreen topics underneath the box. All you have to do is click on the suggestions to learn more about the topic and chat about it. Additionally, Perplexity provides related topic questions you can click on to keep the conversation going.These extensive prompts make Perplexity a great chatbot for exploring topics you wouldn't have thought about before, encouraging discovery and experimentation. I explored random topics, including the history of birthday cakes, and I enjoyed every second. Also: Perplexity Pro's AI absolutely aced my coding tests - but there's a catchOther perks include an app for iOS and Android, enabling you to tinker with the chatbot while on the go. Footnotes are provided for every answer with sources you can visit, and the chatbot's answers nearly always include photos and graphics. Perplexity placed first onZDNET's best AI search engines of 2024.Perplexity AI features:OpenAI GPT-4 Turbo and Claude 3 Sonnet and Opus for subscribers|Has access to the internet and current events | Provides prompt suggestions to get chats started | Free Pros Links to sources Access to internet Simple UI Cons Paid subscription required for GPT-4 access Some irrelevant suggestions Perplexity AI is a free AI chatbot connected to the internet that provides sources and has an enjoyable UI. As soon as you visit the site, using the chatbot is straightforward -- type your prompt into the "ask anything" box to get started.A title above the textbox reads, "Where knowledge begins" -- and it could not be more fitting.Also: 5 reasons why I prefer Perplexity over every other AI chatbotWhen you click on the textbox, the tool offers a series of suggested prompts, mostly rooted in news. The chatbot also displays suggested prompts on evergreen topics underneath the box. All you have to do is click on the suggestions to learn more about the topic and chat about it. Additionally, Perplexity provides related topic questions you can click on to keep the conversation going.These extensive prompts make Perplexity a great chatbot for exploring topics you wouldn't have thought about before, encouraging discovery and experimentation. I explored random topics, including the history of birthday cakes, and I enjoyed every second. Also: Perplexity Pro's AI absolutely aced my coding tests - but there's a catchOther perks include an app for iOS and Android, enabling you to tinker with the chatbot while on the go. Footnotes are provided for every answer with sources you can visit, and the chatbot's answers nearly always include photos and graphics. Perplexity placed first onZDNET's best AI search engines of 2024.Perplexity AI features:OpenAI GPT-4 Turbo and Claude 3 Sonnet and Opus for subscribers|Has access to the internet and current events | Provides prompt suggestions to get chats started | Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Jasper Jasper is specifically for users looking to incorporate an AI chatbot into their workflow -- there is no free plan, and you can't even access the chatbot without paying up. For example, when I tried using the AI, I was met with dead ends unless I subscribed. The least expensive option, the Creator plan, is geared towards freelancers and solo-preneurs and costs $49 a month. However, the investment may be worth it if you rely on an AI chatbot to generate copy for your business.Also: The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and moreWith Jasper, you can input a prompt for the text you want written, and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would. The major difference is that Jasper offers extensive tools to produce marketing copy. The tool can check for grammar and plagiarism and write in over 50 templates, including blog posts, Twitter threads, video scripts, and more. Jasper also offers SEO insights and can even remember your brand voice.Whether you are an individual, part of a smaller team, or in a larger business looking to optimize your workflow, you can access a trial or demo before you take the plunge.Jasper features:Uses different LLMs | Summarizes texts and generates paragraphs and product descriptions | Checks for plagiarism and grammar | Starts at $49 per month Pros Different writing templates Copyediting features Plagiarism checker Cons Need a subscription to try Steep cost Jasper is specifically for users looking to incorporate an AI chatbot into their workflow -- there is no free plan, and you can't even access the chatbot without paying up. For example, when I tried using the AI, I was met with dead ends unless I subscribed. The least expensive option, the Creator plan, is geared towards freelancers and solo-preneurs and costs $49 a month. However, the investment may be worth it if you rely on an AI chatbot to generate copy for your business.Also: The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and moreWith Jasper, you can input a prompt for the text you want written, and it will write it for you, just like ChatGPT would. The major difference is that Jasper offers extensive tools to produce marketing copy. The tool can check for grammar and plagiarism and write in over 50 templates, including blog posts, Twitter threads, video scripts, and more. Jasper also offers SEO insights and can even remember your brand voice.Whether you are an individual, part of a smaller team, or in a larger business looking to optimize your workflow, you can access a trial or demo before you take the plunge.Jasper features:Uses different LLMs | Summarizes texts and generates paragraphs and product descriptions | Checks for plagiarism and grammar | Starts at $49 per month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at You You.com (previously known as YouChat) is an AI assistant that functions similarly to a search engine. Like Google, You.com lets you enter any question or topic you'd like to learn more about, and you're immediately met with real-time web results, in addition to a conversational response. For example, when I asked, "Can you share some pictures of adorable dog breeds?", the chatbot provided six web links, seven pictures it pulled from the web, a conversational answer, and related news.The chatbot can also provide technical assistance with answers to anything you input, including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. Because You.com isn't as popular as other chatbots, a huge plus is that you can hop on any time and ask away without delays.Also: My 3 favorite AI chatbot apps for iOS - and what you can do with themOne of You.com's standout features is that you can toggle between the most popular AI models on the market using the Custom Model Selector.The AI models included in the Custom Model Selector include OpenAI's GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo; Anthropic's Claude Instant, Claude 2, Claude 3 Opus, Clause 3 Sonnet, and Claude 3 Haiku; Google's Gemini Pro; and Zephyr (uncensored). That capability means that, within one chatbot, you can experience some of the most advanced models on the market, which is pretty convenient if you ask me. You.com features:Most leading LLMs|Lists sources for the text it generates | Longer answers | Free Pros Readily available Free Source Citing Cons Some answers stronger than others Subscription required for GPT-4 access You.com (previously known as YouChat) is an AI assistant that functions similarly to a search engine. Like Google, You.com lets you enter any question or topic you'd like to learn more about, and you're immediately met with real-time web results, in addition to a conversational response. For example, when I asked, "Can you share some pictures of adorable dog breeds?", the chatbot provided six web links, seven pictures it pulled from the web, a conversational answer, and related news.The chatbot can also provide technical assistance with answers to anything you input, including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. Because You.com isn't as popular as other chatbots, a huge plus is that you can hop on any time and ask away without delays.Also: My 3 favorite AI chatbot apps for iOS - and what you can do with themOne of You.com's standout features is that you can toggle between the most popular AI models on the market using the Custom Model Selector.The AI models included in the Custom Model Selector include OpenAI's GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo; Anthropic's Claude Instant, Claude 2, Claude 3 Opus, Clause 3 Sonnet, and Claude 3 Haiku; Google's Gemini Pro; and Zephyr (uncensored). That capability means that, within one chatbot, you can experience some of the most advanced models on the market, which is pretty convenient if you ask me. You.com features:Most leading LLMs|Lists sources for the text it generates | Longer answers | Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Writesonic The Writesonic platform offers tools that help generate stories, including Instant Article Writer, which creates an article from a single click; Article Rewriter, which rephrases existing content; and Article Writer 5, which generates articles using ranking competitors.Part of Writesonic's offering is Chatsonic, an AI chatbot specifically designed for professional writing. It functions much like ChatGPT, allowing users to input prompts to get any assistance they need for writing.Other tools that facilitate the creation of articles include SEO Checker and Optimizer, AI Editor, Content Rephraser, Paragraph Writer, and more. A free version of the tool gets you access to some of the features, but it is limited to 25 generations per day limit. The monthly cost starts at $12 but can reach $2,000 for the AI + Human Content Service.Chatsonic features:Model-agnostic LLM framework |Aware of current events | Extensive feature suite, including voice dictation and image generation | Starts at $16 per month Pros Up-to-date Variety of use cases Free trial Cons Need to sign in A bit of a lag The Writesonic platform offers tools that help generate stories, including Instant Article Writer, which creates an article from a single click; Article Rewriter, which rephrases existing content; and Article Writer 5, which generates articles using ranking competitors.Part of Writesonic's offering is Chatsonic, an AI chatbot specifically designed for professional writing. It functions much like ChatGPT, allowing users to input prompts to get any assistance they need for writing.Other tools that facilitate the creation of articles include SEO Checker and Optimizer, AI Editor, Content Rephraser, Paragraph Writer, and more. A free version of the tool gets you access to some of the features, but it is limited to 25 generations per day limit. The monthly cost starts at $12 but can reach $2,000 for the AI + Human Content Service.Chatsonic features:Model-agnostic LLM framework |Aware of current events | Extensive feature suite, including voice dictation and image generation | Starts at $16 per month Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Blog Gemini is Google's conversational AI chatbot that functions most similarly to Copilot, sourcing its answers from the web, providing footnotes, and even generating images within its chatbot. For image generation, Gemini uses Imagen 3, which was crowned ZDNET's best AI image generator of 2024.At the company's Made by Google 2024event, Google made Gemini its default voice assistant, replacing Google Assistant with a smarter alternative. Gemini Live is an advanced voice assistant that can have human-like, multi-turn verbal conversations on complex topics and even give you advice.The Live experience is supposed to mimic a conversation with a human. As a result, the AI can be interrupted, carry on multi-turn conversations, and even resume a prior chat. The best part is that it is now available for iOS and Android users for free.Also: You can try Google's new 'AI Premium Plan' for free. Here's how (and why you'll want to)Google also offers a premium plan that costs $20 per month cost -- which is on par with other premium AI plans likeChatGPT PlusandClaude Pro. The Google One AI Premium Plan includes other perks besides Gemini Advanced, such as Gemini in Gmail and Docs, 2TB of storage, and unlimited Magic Editor in Google Photos. Still, if you want to try the tool before committing to buying it, read my piece, 'How to try Google's new Gemini Live AI assistant for free'.Gemini features:Powered by Gemini 1.5 Flash| Includes a "Google it" feature | Generates clear text and images quickly | Free Pros Free Access to Google Good text editing skills Cons No sources Can't help much with code Gemini is Google's conversational AI chatbot that functions most similarly to Copilot, sourcing its answers from the web, providing footnotes, and even generating images within its chatbot. For image generation, Gemini uses Imagen 3, which was crowned ZDNET's best AI image generator of 2024.At the company's Made by Google 2024event, Google made Gemini its default voice assistant, replacing Google Assistant with a smarter alternative. Gemini Live is an advanced voice assistant that can have human-like, multi-turn verbal conversations on complex topics and even give you advice.The Live experience is supposed to mimic a conversation with a human. As a result, the AI can be interrupted, carry on multi-turn conversations, and even resume a prior chat. The best part is that it is now available for iOS and Android users for free.Also: You can try Google's new 'AI Premium Plan' for free. Here's how (and why you'll want to)Google also offers a premium plan that costs $20 per month cost -- which is on par with other premium AI plans likeChatGPT PlusandClaude Pro. The Google One AI Premium Plan includes other perks besides Gemini Advanced, such as Gemini in Gmail and Docs, 2TB of storage, and unlimited Magic Editor in Google Photos. Still, if you want to try the tool before committing to buying it, read my piece, 'How to try Google's new Gemini Live AI assistant for free'.Gemini features:Powered by Gemini 1.5 Flash| Includes a "Google it" feature | Generates clear text and images quickly | Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you want your child to use AI to lighten their workload -- within limits -- Socratic is for you. With Socratic, children can type in any question about something they're learning in school. The tool will then generate a conversational, human-like response with fun, unique graphics to help break down the concept."It's a powerful studying tool that could help students double-check their homework, or get across the last hurdle if a question or formula just isn't making sense. And using the app is as easy as usingSnapchator talking to Siri," said former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani in his review.Also: How Google Socratic can help you with your homeworkThe app, available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, also has a feature that lets your kid scan their worksheet to get a specially curated answer. The app does have some limitations. For example, it will not simply write an essay or story when prompted. However, this feature could be positive because it curbs your child's temptation to get a chatbot to write their essay.Socratic features:From Google |Type in any question to generate a response | Includes fun graphics | Supports scanning worksheets to get a specially curated answer |Free Pros Free Educational Easy to use Cons Doesn't write text No desktop version If you want your child to use AI to lighten their workload -- within limits -- Socratic is for you. With Socratic, children can type in any question about something they're learning in school. The tool will then generate a conversational, human-like response with fun, unique graphics to help break down the concept."It's a powerful studying tool that could help students double-check their homework, or get across the last hurdle if a question or formula just isn't making sense. And using the app is as easy as usingSnapchator talking to Siri," said former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani in his review.Also: How Google Socratic can help you with your homeworkThe app, available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, also has a feature that lets your kid scan their worksheet to get a specially curated answer. The app does have some limitations. For example, it will not simply write an essay or story when prompted. However, this feature could be positive because it curbs your child's temptation to get a chatbot to write their essay.Socratic features:From Google |Type in any question to generate a response | Includes fun graphics | Supports scanning worksheets to get a specially curated answer |Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Github While there are plenty of great options on the market, if you need a chatbot that serves your specific use case, you can always build a new one that's entirely customizable. HuggingChat is an open-source chatbot developed by Hugging Face that can be used as a regular chatbot or customized for your needs. As ZDNET's David Gewirtz unpacked in his hands-on article, you may not want to depend on HuggingChat as your go-to primary chatbot. However, it is a good interface for building your own chatbot.Also: What to know about Mistral AI: The company behind the latest GPT-4 rivalAs Gewirtz said: "If you want something that you control, you can use HuggingChat to build a chatbot where you have visibility into every aspect of its functioning. You can choose to make that chatbot available online to other users and provide transparency to all users."Socratic features:Clean, ChatGPT-inspired interface| Entirely customizable| Great for developers or AI fanatics| Secure alternative|Free Pros Free Clean UI Customizable Cons Intermediate/advanced skills needed Have to create an account While there are plenty of great options on the market, if you need a chatbot that serves your specific use case, you can always build a new one that's entirely customizable. HuggingChat is an open-source chatbot developed by Hugging Face that can be used as a regular chatbot or customized for your needs. As ZDNET's David Gewirtz unpacked in his hands-on article, you may not want to depend on HuggingChat as your go-to primary chatbot. However, it is a good interface for building your own chatbot.Also: What to know about Mistral AI: The company behind the latest GPT-4 rivalAs Gewirtz said: "If you want something that you control, you can use HuggingChat to build a chatbot where you have visibility into every aspect of its functioning. You can choose to make that chatbot available online to other users and provide transparency to all users."Socratic features:Clean, ChatGPT-inspired interface| Entirely customizable| Great for developers or AI fanatics| Secure alternative|Free Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best AI chatbot? The best overall AI chatbot is ChatGPT due to its exceptional performance, made possible by its upgrade to OpenAI's cutting-edge GPT-4o language model, which makes it proficient in various language tasks like writing, summarization, coding, multimodality, translation, and conversation. The model also gives the AI access to current events.Another advantage of the upgraded ChatGPT is its availability to the public at no cost. Despite its immense popularity and major upgrade, ChatGPT remains free, making it an incredible resource for students, writers, and professionals who need a reliable AI chatbot.Best AI chatbotsPriceLanguage modelCurrent events capabilityKey featuresChatGPTFreeOpenAI's GPT-4o (GPT-4o mini when at capacity)Up-to-date on current events; has access to the internetCan generate text, solve math problems, and do coding. Offers conversational capabilities.CopilotFreeOpenAI's GPT-4Up-to-date on current events; has access to the internetWorks like a search engine with information on current events.ClaudeFreeClaude 3 family of modelsLimited current events capabilityUsers can upload documents such as PDFs to receive summaries and get questions answered.Perplexity.aiFreeOpenAI's GPT-3 and GPT-4 (for subscribers)Up-to-date on current events; has access to the internetCan provide prompt suggestions based on current events.JasperStarts at $39/monthUses different LLMs, including GPT-4Focuses on written text; has copy-editing features and plagiarism checkerCan summarize texts and generate paragraphs and product descriptions. Has over 50 different writing templates, including blog posts, Twitter threads, and video scripts.You.comFreeMost leading LLMsUp-to-date on current events; has access to the internetOutputs an answer to anything you input, including math, coding, translating, and writing prompts. Lists sources for the text it generates.ChatsonicStarts at $12/monthModel-agnostic LLM frameworkUp-to-date on current events; has access to the internetOffers voice dictation, AI image generation, and more.Gemini (formerly Google Bard)FreeGemini 1.5 FlashUp-to-date on current events; has access to the internet via GoogleCan provide relevant and useful writing assistance.SocraticFreeFrom GoogleKid-friendly; can help with homeworkChildren can type in any question and Socratic will generate a conversational, human-like response with fun unique graphics.HuggingChatFreeHuggingFaceCan have access to the internet if you'd like toYou can build your own chatbot using HuggingChat that suits your needs. Show more Which AI chatbot is right for you? While I think ChatGPT is the best AI chatbot, your use case may be hyper-specific or have certain demands. If you want an AI chatbot that produces clean, reliable, business-ready copy, for example, then Jasper is for you. If you want a chatbot that acts more like a search engine, Perplexity may be for you. Lastly, if there is a child in your life, Socratic might be worth checking out.See our breakdown below:Use this AI chatbotIf you want...ChatGPTThe best AI chatbot overall and a wide range of capabilities beyond writing, including coding, conversation, and math equations.CopilotAn AI chatbot with up-to-date information on current events, links back to sources, and is free and easy to use.ClaudeThe best AI chatbot if you want a chatbot that will not use your data unless explicitly opt-in.Perplexity.aiAn AI chatbot that combines the best of AI chatbots and search engines to offer users an optimized hybrid experience.JasperAn AI chatbot that offers more than 50 writing templates, copy-editing features, and a plagiarism checker -- making it an investment worth the monthly cost.You.comAn AI chatbot with the most advanced large language models (LLMs) available in one place for easy experimentation and access. ChatsonicAn AI chatbot that can write articles for you with its ability to offer up-to-date news stories about current events.GeminiAn AI chatbot infused with the Google experience you know and love, from its LLM to its UI.Socratic by GoogleThe best AI chatbot for helping children understand concepts they are learning in school with educational, fun graphics.HuggingChatAn AI chatbot that's best for building or exploring how to build your very own chatbot. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a chatbot There are many chatbots on the market and picking the right one can get confusing. Some factors to consider to help narrow down those options are:PriceLarge language model (LLM)Knowledge cutoffAccess to the internetLinking to sourcesBest use cases Show more How did I choose these AI chatbots? To curate the list of best AI chatbots and AI writers, I considered each program's capabilities, including the individual uses each program would excel at. As an AI reporter, I also tested each one myself. Other factors I looked at were reliability, availability, and cost.Individual use case: AI chatbots have many use cases often centered around productivity and ease of workflow. I included a variety that can serve as ideation, education, and content creation tools.Reliability: I kept information accuracy a priority during my testing.Availability: ChatGPT is popular, but not always available. I selected alternatives that don't have a user limit and are available at all times.Cost: Many AI programs are free, but some require monthly memberships. I included a mix of both, keeping budget-friendliness in mind. Show more What is an AI chatbot? An AI chatbot (also called an AI writer) is a type of AI-powered program capable of generating written content from a user's input prompt. AI chatbots can write anything from a rap song to an essay upon a user's request. The extent of what each chatbot can write about depends on its capabilities, including whether it is connected to a search engine. Show more How do AI chatbots work? Chatbots use LLMs to train the AI to produce human-like responses. Some tools are connected to the web and that capability provides up-to-date information, while others depend solely on the information upon which they were trained. Show more How much do AI chatbots cost? AI chatbot programs vary in cost. Some are entirely free, while others cost as much as $600 a month. However, many, like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and YouChat, are free to use. Show more What is the difference between an AI chatbot and an AI writer? The main difference between an AI chatbot and an AI writer is the type of output they generate and their primary function.In the past, an AI writer was used specifically to generate written content, such as articles, stories, or poetry, based on a given prompt or input. An AI writer outputs text that mimics human-like language and structure. On the other hand, an AI chatbot is designed to conduct real-time conversations with users in text or voice-based interactions. The primary function of an AI chatbot is to answer questions, provide recommendations, or even perform simple tasks, and its output is in the form of text-based conversations.While the terms AI chatbot and AI writer are now used interchangeably by some, the original distinction was that an AI writer was used for generating static written content, while an AI chatbot was used for conversational purposes. However, with the introduction of more advanced AI technology, such as ChatGPT, the line between the two has become increasingly blurred. Many AI chatbots are now capable of generating text-based responses that mimic human-like language and structure, similar to an AI writer. Show more Artificial Intelligence

An OpenAI whistleblower took his own life late last month in his San Francisco apartment.AFP via Getty ImagesBy Cyrus Farivar, Richard Nieva and Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes StaffSuchir Balaji, a whistleblower who formerly worked at AI juggernaut OpenAI, was found dead in his apartment in San Francisco late last month due to suicide, both local police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said.No evidence of foul play was found during the initial investigation, Officer Robert Rueca, a spokesperson with the San Francisco Police Department, emailed Forbes.Balajis November 26 death was first reported Friday by the San Jose Mercury News. In October, the 26-year-old researcher left OpenAI and alleged the AI behemoth had broken copyright law by scraping the internet and infringing upon copyrighted work to train its AI models. He further asserted that the use of this data would harm the entire internet ecosystem.If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company, he told The New York Times.While generative models rarely produce outputs that are substantially similar to any of their training inputs, the process of training a generative model involves making copies of copyrighted data, Balaji wrote on his personal website at the time. If these copies are unauthorized, this could potentially be considered copyright infringement, depending on whether or not the specific use of the model qualifies as fair use.OpenAI has disputed his assertions and broader claims that it violated copyright law.Balaji worked at OpenAI for four years, contributing to the collection and organization of training data for OpenAIs star product ChatGPT. According to the New York Times, he was working on a personal project after leaving OpenAI.Balajis death came one day after a court filing specifically named him as someone whose professional files OpenAI would search as part of a lawsuit brought by numerous authors that sued the startup. OpenAI agreed to identify documents in his custodial file (if any) related to purported copyright concerns he has recently raised following his employment at OpenAI."In a statement, OpenAI expressed condolences over Balajis death.We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time, Jason Deutrom, a spokesperson, emailed Forbes.MORE FROM FORBES

What to watch this weekend.Credit: Netflix / Focus Features / AmazonThis Sunday marks the halfway point for December, which means that well be just about two weeks from New Years Eve and then . . . somehow itll be 2025. A quarter of a century down, three more to goif we live that long. In any case, we have serial killers, space marines and magical Colombian villages to explore in this weekends streaming guide. Theres some new animation to enjoy from the makers of Love, Death & Robots, an ambitious adaptation of one of the most important literary works of the last century, and lots more.Every week, I search high and low for the best (and sometimes worst) shows and movies for you to watch (or avoid), some of which Ive seen but plenty I havent. This is a guide for you and for me, as I like to stay on top of everything coming out and its just so easy to miss new shows and movies. If I miss anything in this guide, please dont hesitate to send me a tip on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook.Alright, lets dive right in!You can check out last weekends streaming guide right here.Whats New & Notable This Weekend (12/13/24)100 Years Of Solitude (Netflix)MORE FOR YOUBased on one of the most important novels of the 20th century, 100 Years Of Solitude is a lush, beautifully filmed adaptation. Im only a little ways into the 8-episode Part 1 (a second 8 episode half-season releases at an unspecified date) but Im already entranced. Check it out.Carry-On (Netflix)Taron Egerton stars in this flight-based terrorism thriller. Egerton plays TSA agent Ethan Kopek who is blackmailed into bringing a dangerous carry-on bag onto a flightor watch his girlfriend get executed. The bad guy is played by normally nice guy, Jason Bateman. This follows very much in the tradition of Die Hard as action-thriller dressed up as Christmas movie. Its getting pretty good reviews, too!Secret Level (Prime Video)Secret Level is a collection of video game-themed animated short films from the creators of Love, Death & Robots, the hit animated anthology on Netflix. This one is on Prime Video and has a lot of familiar games that it draws on, from D&D to Warhammer 40k. The quality of each short varies a lot, and the selection is kind of odd. I was surprised to see Sifu get its own episode given thats a pretty small, unknown game compared to PAC-MAN. Its also hilarious that Concordone of gamings most galling failureshas its own episode. The game didnt even stick around long enough to be here when the show came out! This lone episode will have a longer lifespan than Concord the game. 8 episodes are out now. The remaining 7 come out next Tuesday.Dexter: Original Sin (Paramount+)Im not sure how to feel about yet another Dexter spinoff, this one a prequel explainingas prequels dohow Dexter became Dexter, something that was effectively already explained in the main show, in about the amount of time we needed. Ill have to watch the premiere and see if its worth diving back into the Dexter-verse. The Dexter Extended Universe?No Good Deed (Netflix)From the creator of Dead To Me, a dark comedy about a middle-aged married couple in Southern California attempting to sell their home. Dark secrets, cutthroat buyers and more make this sound a bit soapy, but possibly a fun binge.The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (In Theaters)Im going to wait until this animated Lord of the Rings anime is out on streaming as it really just doesnt look like something worth seeing on the big screen. Its getting decent reviews, though audiences (84%) are far more upbeat than critics (52%) about this prequel. Im just not sure I love this style of animation for Lord of the Rings. Id rather see Western 2D animation, though thats just personal bias.Joker: Folie Deux (Max)Jokers poorly-received sequel is finally on streaming. You can watch the musical follow-up to the brilliant first film on Max. Since I never went to this in theaters, I plan on watching it soon. Its a musical, and by all accounts not a very good one, but I like musicals and frankly this sounds like a reasonably subversive movie that could be quite thought-provoking.Conclave (Peacock)With a 93% critic score and 86% audience score, Conclave is the stuff Oscar dreams are made of. Its a mystery thriller that takes place after the death of Pope Gregory XVII. The College of Cardinals comes together for a papal conclave to choose a new popeand things go spectacularly wrong.Bonus: Jane The Virgin (Prime Video)Ive been burning through the first season of Jane The Virgin recently (which I purchased on Prime Video) and its just fantastic. Its a rom-com mystery thats basically an American parody/homage to telenovelas. Gina Rodriguez plays Janea virgin who gets pregnant by mistake (I dont want to spoil it)and shes so, so charming in the role. I have a massive crush, no doubt. The rest of the cast is great also and really lovable and its a fun melodramatic mystery with lots of twists and turns. Im reminded endlessly of Bad Monkey, right down to the entertaining narrator and recaps. If you missed this show when it came out (debuting way back in 2014) do yourself a favor and give it a watch.What Im Watching WeeklyInstead of doing an entire section on whats currently streaming with trailers and all the restwhich can make these posts overly-long and bulkyI thought Id just do a rundown of some of the shows that Im currently following, some of which Im behind on or not sure Ill keep watching.I started the spy thriller Black Doves on Netflix but I keep getting tired and sleepy whenever I watch it and I think the show feels too slick and empty to keep my attention. A glossy, hollow, not very gripping spy drama thats tonally very hard to pin down, but not in a good way, despite its great cast.Ive been pretty impressed with Skeleton Crew on Disney+. The new Star Wars show has been billed as The Goonies in space which is pretty accurate, though its not as good as that movie. Still, Episode 3 brought Jude Laws character, Crimson Jack, into the mix and hes really helped the series find its stride. Honestly, hes already one of my favorite Disney-era Star Wars characters. I like how this show is just a fun adventure without a whiff of preachiness.Im also still catching up on Rivals (Hulu/Disney+) which continues to be one of my favorite things on TV thanks to a strong cast and some very steamy scenes. The show follows the showbiz shenanigans of the rich and famous in 1980s UK and its a ton of fun so far.Im a little behind on Outlander. Its a show that I really do genuinely like, but which also annoys me with its constant melodrama that can make some characters really feel like theyre stuck in a loop. Claire, in particular, just drives me crazy at times. And Im irritated that their sojourn in Scotland was so short!Im also enjoying the last few episodes of Shrinking on Apple TV. Season 2 isnt as good as Season 1, but I like the characters enough that Im not too bothered by it. Oh and Silo continues to be great on Apple TV, though Im an episode or two behind there also. Busy times!Finally, Dune: Prophecy will air its fifth and penultimate episode this Sunday and I just dont have any clue how theyre supposed to get me to care about any of it with just two more episodes and not a single likable or relatable character!What are you watching, dearest readers? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook.Further Reading From Yours Truly: