You can do a lot more with generative AI (genAI) in Google Sheets than get help writing spreadsheet formulas. Thanks to extensions such as Claude for Sheets, you can also do things like:Determine whether text sentiment is positive, negative, or neutralClassify text into categoriesExtract email addresses, phone numbers, and other entities from plain textAnd you can do this without having to write computer code in a language like Python.Instead, you only need spreadsheet formulas as simple as:=claudeExtract("sentiment of positive, negative, or neutral", A2)Lets see how to implement some of these use cases with the help of Claude for Sheets, an add-on for Google Sheets offered by Anthropic, maker of the Claude family of large language models (LLMs).Just remember:LLMs arent always accurate. The more important your task, the more effort you should put into checking Claudes results.Think twice about sending sensitive data to an LLM. If its corporate data, follow company policies.Claude for Sheets costs money to use. Its a pretty trivial amount for moderate amounts of text, but understand the pricing if youve got a massive data set. (Although for a lot of data, performance will be slow and youre probably better off with another solution.) More on pricing in a bit.Claude for Sheets setupYoull need two things in addition to a Google account in order to run Claude for Sheets: an Anthropic API key and the Claude for Sheets extension.You can get an Anthropic API key by creating a free account. Once you log in, your dashboard home page should show an option to create API keys.You can request an API key from the Anthropic dashboard home page.Sharon Machlis / IDGClick the button to create a key and heed the warning to copy your API key (just a string of characters) when it appears once you close that dialog box, you wont be able to access it again on the Anthropic website. Store the key securely, just as you would a password.Youll likely need to add some money to your Anthropic account before you can use the Claude API. You shouldnt need much unless youre uploading a lot of data. (I added $20 months ago and still have more than half left and Ive coded public-facing apps using Claude in addition to playing with Sheets.)To add Claude for Sheets to your Google account, download it from the Google Workspace Marketplace and install it.You need to set up Claude for Sheets in each spreadsheet where you want to use it. Create a new Google spreadsheet and go to Extensions > Claude for Sheets > Open Sidebar. Then click on the sidebars hamburger menu (three horizonal lines), choose Settings, and click on API provider. You want to choose Anthropic. Enter your API key where it says the key is missing. srcset="https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?quality=50&strip=all 976w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=257%2C300&quality=50&strip=all 257w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=768%2C896&quality=50&strip=all 768w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=877%2C1024&quality=50&strip=all 877w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=597%2C697&quality=50&strip=all 597w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=144%2C168&quality=50&strip=all 144w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=72%2C84&quality=50&strip=all 72w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=411%2C480&quality=50&strip=all 411w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=308%2C360&quality=50&strip=all 308w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_02_enter_key.jpg?resize=214%2C250&quality=50&strip=all 214w" width="877" height="1023" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px">Enter your Anthropic API key after opening the Claude for Sheets sidebar.Sharon Machlis / IDGNext, scroll down and choose a default model. Anthropic offers several different models under the Claude umbrella, and their capabilities and pricing vary considerably. Haiku is the smallest, fastest, least expensive, and least capable model offered in Claude for Sheets. Id start there while experimenting. srcset="https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?quality=50&strip=all 729w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=253%2C300&quality=50&strip=all 253w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=587%2C697&quality=50&strip=all 587w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=142%2C168&quality=50&strip=all 142w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=71%2C84&quality=50&strip=all 71w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=405%2C480&quality=50&strip=all 405w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=303%2C360&quality=50&strip=all 303w, https://b2b-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/claude_for_google_sheets_03_choose_model.jpg?resize=211%2C250&quality=50&strip=all 211w" width="729" height="865" sizes="(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px">Choose a default model to use in Claude for Sheets. Haiku is the smallest and least expensive.Sharon Machlis / IDGAs of this writing, Haiku costs 80 cents per million tokens in and $4 per million tokens out. One million tokens is roughly 4 million characters or 750,000 English words. The priciest and most powerful model, Opus, is $15 per million input and $75 per million output. The middle model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, is $3/M in and $15/M out.Whatever you choose as the default model for a spreadsheet, you can override it by specifying a different model in the formulas you create, as well see in the examples below.Case 1: Sentiment analysisStart by entering the text you want to analyze in your A column. I entered the following five sample review text blurbs into my spreadsheets A column (ReviewText), one item per row:ReviewTextSentimentThe new iPad Mini 7 has a great display, speedy response, and is light enough to hold for long periods of time. Its a significant upgrade from my old (ancient?) iPad 5. My lone nit is that the form factor is thicker and less sleek now due to the change in connectors, but Im still glad I upgraded.This desktop computer has a better processor and can handle much more demanding tasks such as running LLMs locally. However, its also noisy and comes with a lot of bloatware.The charger is affordable and does exactly what I want.This charger doesnt work like I expected.This charger seems like a great value until you try to use it. The connection is flakey and my device often ends up not fully charged overnight. In column B (Sentiment) more specifically, in cell B2 next to my first text item, I added the formula=claudeExtract("sentiment analysis of 'positive', 'negative', or 'neutral", A2, "claude-3-5-haiku-latest", "temperature", 0)And then I clicked and dragged the formula down the rest of the rows next to cells with text.Heres an explanation of the formula.=claudeExtract uses the syntax claudeExtract(property, text, model, argumentValuePairs)Property is defined in the help file as The property to extract from the text, e.g. phone. For this case, I used a property of sentiment analysis of positive, negative, or neutral since thats what I want Claude to extract from my text.Text is my source cell location. If my first row of text is in cell A2, text value will be cell A2. Clicking and dragging the formula down the rest of the column applies it appropriately to the other text cells.Although I chose a default model in Claude for Sheets main settings, I specified a model in the formula too so I could add optional arguments at the end of the formula. Google Sheets formulas dont like it if you skip expected parameters when adding more at the end. Anthropics Model names documentation helpfully lists the specific syntax to use in formulas for each of its available models. In this case I chose claude-3-5-haiku-latest which specifies the latest available version of the Claude 3.5 Haiku model.The one optional argument I added was to set the models temperature to 0. An LLMs temperature tells it how much randomness to use. Should it opt for the most likely result again and again (low temperature) or try to mix things up a bit (higher temperature)?Its sometimes helpful to view temperature as a measure of model creativity. Higher temperature can be nice when chatting with an LLM, so it doesnt sound robotic and repetitive. However, for technical tasks, more likely to be accurate is a better idea than be creative, and that means lower temperatures. Anthropic advises: For multiple-choice or analytical tasks, youll want [temperature] close to 0.Note: This ability to set model parameters like temperature is one advantage of using the LLMs API via a spreadsheet or computer programming instead of a free chatbot without granular temperature control.ResultsBelow is Claudes sentiment analysis on my sample text. I agreed with all of them:Haiku: Sentiment analysisReviewTextSentimentThe new iPad Mini 7 has a great display, speedy response, and is light enough to hold for long periods of time. Its a significant upgrade from my old (ancient?) iPad 5. My lone nit is that the form factor is thicker and less sleek now due to the change in connectors, but Im still glad I upgraded.positiveThis desktop computer has a better processor and can handle much more demanding tasks such as running LLMs locally. However, its also noisy and comes with a lot of bloatware.neutralThe charger is affordable and does exactly what I want.positiveThis charger doesnt work like I expected.negativeThis charger seems like a great value until you try to use it. The connection is flakey and my device often ends up not fully charged overnight.negative Two important tips:If you see errors or delays in some cells, you can ask Claude for Sheets to recalculate those by opening the Claude extensions dropdown menu (Extensions > Claude for Sheets) and clicking on Recalculate all DEFERRED / THROTTLED / #ERROR! Cells.Claude may not finish all your spreadsheet calculations in one pass. If that happens, you can ask it to recalculate cells with missing values via the Extensions menu.Sharon Machlis / IDGTo keep results from updating which might change them and costs more API money copy and paste the column values only (excluding the formulas) to a new column and then delete the original column with formulas. Anthropic says Claude for Sheets results are cached for a week, so opening the spreadsheet again after a week may cause everything to recalculate.Case 2: Text classification into categoriesFor this test, I took a few social media posts about the R programming language (often used for data analysis), genAI tools, and other topics some modified to try to make the topics slightly less obvious and asked Claude to categorize them as Data, Generative AI, Security & Privacy, or Other.I used the same workflow as above, just changing the formulas property text using natural language instructions:=claudeExtract("one or more categories among 'Data', 'Generative AI', 'Security & Privacy'. If more than one apply, include all. If none apply, say 'Other'.", A2, "claude-3-5-haiku-latest", "temperature", 0)Results werent bad but were imperfect. The Haiku model didnt apply both Security & Privacy and Generative AI to the text about LLM vulnerabilities, and it didnt know that R involves data.Haiku: Text categorizationKyle has some great resources for using the GIS data sets he mentions, especially Analyzing US Census Data: Methods, Maps, and Models in R and the tidycensus packagedataOpenAI today announced new model 4o basically 4o preview out of preview it says is better and faster than the preview version. And multimodal. Also a new pro tier for ChatGPT and its 4o model, at an eye-popping $200/month.generative aiAn Introduction to R is a free online book by several professors (Univ of Aberdeen, Danish Technical Univ) and R practitioners that aims to, well, introduce you to using R. If you teach R, feel free to use some or all of the content in this book [with attribution]. https://intro2r.comotherPrompt injection and supply chain vulnerabilities remain the main LLM vulnerabilities but as the technology evolves new risks come to light including system prompt leakage and misinformation. https://www.csoonline.com/article/575497/owasp-lists-10-most-critical-large-language-model-vulnerabilities.htmlsecurity & privacyThis story tracked thousands of US military & intel personnel coming & going from classified sites, incl. NSA hubs & nuclear vaults. We know where they sleep, what they eat, and which brothels they visit. Its an ocean of blackmail & national secrets within reach of every spy agency in the world.data,security & privacyLogging on to Bluesky for the first time felt a bit like walking into your apartment after a professional deep clean. The layout is the same, as are the appliances and furniture. But it just felt good to be there. I wanted to hang out.other When I tried with the Sonnet model (by swapping in claude-3-5-sonnet-latest as the model name), it did apply both categories to the LLM security text but also couldnt recognize the R blurb as being data-related. The Opus model (claude-3-opus-latest) didnt know R is data-related either.My conclusion on categorizing text after this and other experiments: Either the text needs to be fairly straightforward about topics, or the prompt should include specific instructions about phrases likely to show up in your data that the LLM doesnt know how to classify. In other words, experiment a bit and add examples or more detailed explanations when needed. When I added Text about the R programming language is topic Data. to the end of my prompts property text, Haiku applied data to my R-related posts.Case 3: Entity extractionI used some sample text to test extracting email addresses and phone numbers. The text was originally generated by a chatbot (Perplexity), and I modified it a bit. I then added that text to a new tab on the spreadsheet, and inserted the following formulas in columns B and C:=claudeExtract("all phone numbers", A4, "claude-3-5-haiku-latest", "temperature", 0)=claudeExtract(all email addresses", A4, "claude-3-5-haiku-latest", "temperature", 0)Haiku performed quite well on this one:Haiku: Phone number and email address extractionTextPhoneEmailThe team is at marketing@company.com and (914) 737-9938. Headquarters is @ 512 Main St.914-737-9938marketing@company.comJohn Smith from accounting (j.smith@business.net) will be out of office until Friday. For urgent matters, reach him at 888-555-9012.888-555-9012j.smith@business.netContact support: help_desk@tech.org or 1-800-555-3456 Technical issues? sarah.tech@company.com For appointments: +1 (444) 867-53091-800-555-3456, +1 (444) 867-5309help_desk@tech.org, sarah.tech@company.comMeeting notes from yesterday: Dave (d.wilson@dept.com) will handle the project Marketing team contact: marketing@company.com / 555.777.8888 Emergency line: 911-555-0123555.777.8888, 911-555-0123d.wilson@dept.com, marketing@company.comPlease forward any invoices to billing@finance.com or fax to (777) 555-0147777-555-0147billing@finance.com Trying to extract company names was tougher, since its a lot easier to spot phone number and email address patterns than to know the difference between a company name and a product name.I tested company and product extraction with some recent headlines and summaries from Computerworlds home page, asking simply for companies and products in my formulas. Haikus results:Haiku: Company and product name extractionTextCompaniesProducts10 steps to smarter Google account security Give yourself some added peace of mind by giving your Google account a thorough set of security reinforcements, both on Android and your desktop.GoogleGoogle account, Android, desktopHow ChatGPT works with iOS 18.2 iPhones and Siri Apple Intelligence is about to receive its first important update introducing ChatGPT access.ChatGPT, iOS, Apple, SiriChatGPT, iOS 18.2 iPhones, Siri, Apple IntelligenceOECD: GenAI is affecting jobs previously thought safe from automation Though the technology will likely lead to new jobs, they may not benefit those who lost work due to automation.OECDGenAIMicrosoft moves to stop M365 Copilot from oversharing data The generative AI assistant can surface sensitive information in over-permissioned files, a growing concern for businesses testing the technology. Microsoft is adding new features to SharePoint and Purview to make it easier to control what the tool can access.MicrosoftMicrosoft 365 Copilot, SharePoint, Purview It was a bit disappointing that Haiku tagged ChatGPT, iOS, and Siri as companies. Sonnet did better on that one overall but worse on the last listing, adding two products as companies along with Microsoft:Sonnet: Company and product name extractionTextCompaniesProducts10 steps to smarter Google account security Give yourself some added peace of mind by giving your Google account a thorough set of security reinforcements, both on Android and your desktop.GoogleGoogle accountHow ChatGPT works with iOS 18.2 iPhones and Siri Apple Intelligence is about to receive its first important update introducing ChatGPT access.AppleiOS 18.2, iPhones, Siri, ChatGPTOECD: GenAI is affecting jobs previously thought safe from automation Though the technology will likely lead to new jobs, they may not benefit those who lost work due to automation.OECDGenAIMicrosoft moves to stop M365 Copilot from oversharing data The generative AI assistant can surface sensitive information in over-permissioned files, a growing concern for businesses testing the technology. Microsoft is adding new features to SharePoint and Purview to make it easier to control what the tool can access.Microsoft, SharePoint, PurviewM365 Copilot, SharePoint, Purview When I tried the pricey Opus model, it got rows 2-4 correct but added Android as a company on the first row. My conclusion: I either need to give these models better prompts and more examples for a task like this or tolerate some inaccuracies.However, models continue to improve, and a task thats beyond their capabilities now may work better a few months down the road.For the sake of comparison, I gave all this text to OpenAIs new o1 model in the ChatGPT Plus chatbot and asked it to extract products. Those results were better: o1 correctly identified Google account, Android, ChatGPT, iOS 18.2, iPhones, Siri, M365 Copilot, SharePoint, and Purview as products.And it was the only model to extract just Google, Apple, and Microsoft as companies OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is not technically a company. When I asked o1 to extract both companies and organizations, it responded: Google (company), Apple (company), OECD (organization), and Microsoft (company).(OpenAI doesnt have its own extension for Google Sheets, although there are some paid third-party applications.)Meanwhile, though, if you can tolerate some imperfect results and less than top-speed performance, you can start doing LLM-based natural language processing right within a spreadsheet. As Ethan Mollick, author of Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, advised on Bluesky recently:I think firms worrying about AI hallucination should consider some questions:1) How vital is 100% accuracy on a task?2) How accurate is AI?3) How accurate is the human who would do it?4) How do you know 2 & 3?5) How do you deal with the fact that humans are not 100%?Not all tasks are the same.

Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the third living person to receive a kidney transplant from a gene-edited pig.Looney, who donated one of her kidneys to her mother back in 1999, developed kidney failure several years later following a pregnancy complication that caused high blood pressure. She started dialysis treatment in December of 2016 and was put on a waiting list for a kidney transplant soon after, in early 2017.But it was difficult to find a match. So Looneys doctors recommended the experimental pig organ as an alternative. After eight years on the waiting list, Looney was authorized to receive the kidney under the US Food and Drug Administrations expanded access program, which allows people with serious or life-threatening conditions to try experimental treatments.The pig in question was developed by Revivicor, a United Therapeutics company. The companys technique involves making 10 gene edits to a pig cell. The edits are made to prevent too much organ growth, curb inflammation, and, importantly, stop the recipients immune system from rejecting the organ. The edited pig cell is then placed into a pig egg cell that has had its nucleus removed, and the egg is transferred to the uterus of a sow, which eventually gives birth to a gene-edited piglet.JOE CARROTTA FOR NYU LANGONE HEALTHIn theory, once the piglet has grown, its organs can be used for human transplantation. Pig organs are similar in size to human ones, after all. A few years ago, David Bennett Sr. became the first person to receive a heart transplant from such a pig. He died two months after the operation, and the heart was later found to have been infected with a pig virus.Richard Slayman was the first person to get a gene-edited pig kidney, which he received in early 2024. He died two months after his surgery, although the hospital treating him said in a statement that it had no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant. In April, Lisa Pisano was reported to be the second person to receive such an organ. Pisano also received a heart pump alongside her kidney transplant. Her kidney failed because of an inadequate blood supply and was removed the following month. She died in July.Looney received her pig kidney during a seven-hour operation that took place at NYU Langone Health in New York City on November 25. The surgery was led by Jayme Locke of the US Health Resources & Services Administration and Robert Montgomery of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.Looney was discharged from the hospital 11 days after her surgery, to an apartment in New York City. Shell stay in New York for another three months so she can check in with doctors at the hospital for evaluations.Its a blessing, Looney said in a statement. I feel like Ive been given another chance at life. I cannot wait to be able to travel again and spend more quality time with my family and grandchildren.Looneys doctors are hopeful that her kidney will last longer than those of her predecessors. For a start, Looney was in better health to begin withshe had chronic kidney disease and required dialysis, but unlike previous recipients, she was not close to death, Montgomery said in a briefing. He and his colleagues plan to start clinical trials within the next year.There is a huge unmet need for organs. In the US alone, there more than 100,000 people are waiting for one, and 17 people on the waiting list die every day. Researchers hope that gene-edited animals might provide a new source of organs for such individuals.Revivicor isnt the only company working on this. Rival company eGenesis, which has a different approach to gene editing, has used CRISPR to create pigs with around 70 gene edits.Transplant is one of the few therapies that can cure a complex disease overnight, yet there are too few organs to provide a cure for all in need, Locke said in a statement. The thought that we may now have a solution to the organ shortage crisis for others who have languished on our waiting lists invokes the most welcome of feelings: pure joy!Today, Looney is the only person living with a pig organ. I am full of energy. I got an appetite Ive never had in eight years, she said at a briefing. I can put my hand on this kidney and feel it buzzing.This story has been updated with additional information after a press briefing.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.The 8 worst technology failures of 2024They say you learn more from failure than success. If so, this is the story for you: MIT Technology Reviews annual roll call of the biggest flops, flimflams, and fiascos in all domains of technology.Some of the foul-ups were funny, like the woke AI which got Google in trouble after it drew Black Nazis. Some caused lawsuits, like a computer error by CrowdStrike that left thousands of Delta passengers stranded. And we also reaped failures among startups that raced to expand from 2020 to 2022, a period of ultra-low interest rates. Check out what made our list of this years biggest technology failures.Antonio RegaladoAntonio will be discussing this years worst failures with our executive editor Niall Firth in a subscriber-exclusive online Roundtable event today at 12.00 ET. Register here to make sure you dont miss outf you havent already, subscribe!AIs search for more energy is growing more urgentIf you drove by one of the 2,990 data centers in the United States, youd probably think little more than Huh, thats a boring-looking building. You might not even notice it at all. However, these facilities underpin our entire digital world, and they are responsible for tons of greenhouse-gas emissions. New research shows just how much those emissions have skyrocketed during the AI boom.That leaves a big problem for the worlds leading AI companies, which are caught between pressure to meet their own sustainability goals and the relentless competition in AI thats leading them to build bigger models requiring tons of energy. And the trend toward ever more energy-intensive new AI models will only send those numbers higher. Read the full story.James ODonnellThis story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Monday.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 TikTok has asked the US Supreme Court for a lifelineIts asked lawmakers to intervene before the proposed ban kicks in on January 19. (WP $)+ TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew reportedly met with Donald Trump yesterday. (NBC News)+ Trump will take office the following day, on January 20. (WSJ $)+ Meanwhile, the EU is investigating TikToks role in Romanias election. (Politico)2 Waymos autonomous cars are heading to TokyoIn the first overseas venture for the firms vehicles. (The Verge)+ The cars will require human safety drivers initially. (CNBC)+ Whats next for robotaxis in 2024. (MIT Technology Review)3 Chinas tech workers are still keen to work in the USBut securing the right to work there is much tougher than it used to be. (Rest of World)4 Digital license plates are vulnerable to hackingAnd theyre already legal to buy in multiple US states. (Wired $)5 Were all slaves to the algorithmsFrom the mundane (Spotify) to the essential (housing applications.) (The Atlantic $)+ How a group of tenants took on screening systemsand won. (The Guardian)+ The coming war on the hidden algorithms that trap people in poverty. (MIT Technology Review)6 How to build an undetectable submarineThe race is on to stay hidden from the competition. (IEEE Spectrum)+ How underwater drones could shape a potential Taiwan-China conflict. (MIT Technology Review)7 How Empower became a viable rival to UberIts refusal to cooperate with authorities is straight out of Ubers early playbook. (NYT $)8 Even airlines are using AirTags to find lost luggage Which begs the question: how were they looking for missing bags before?(Bloomberg $)+ Heres how to keep tabs on your suitcase as you travel. (Forbes $)9 Youre reading your blood pressure all wrongKeep your feet flat on the floor and ditch your phone, for a start. (WSJ $)10 The rise and rise of the group chatExpressing yourself publicly on social media is so last year. (Insider $)+ How to fix the internet. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the dayWhere are the adults in the room?Francesca Marano, a long-time contributor to WordPress, lambasts the platforms decision to require users to check a box reading Pineapple is delicious on pizza to log in, 404 Media reports.The big storyResponsible AI has a burnout problemOctober 2022Margaret Mitchell had been working at Google for two years before she realized she needed a break. Only after she spoke with a therapist did she understand the problem: she was burnt out.Mitchell, who now works as chief ethics scientist at the AI startup Hugging Face, is far from alone in her experience. Burnout is becoming increasingly common in responsible AI teams.All the practitioners MIT Technology Review interviewed spoke enthusiastically about their work: it is fueled by passion, a sense of urgency, and the satisfaction of building solutions for real problems. But that sense of mission can be overwhelming without the right support. Read the full story.Melissa HeikkilWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ This timelapse of a pine tree growing from a tiny pinecone is pretty special + Shaboozeys A Bar Song (Tipsy) is one of 2024s biggest hits. But why has it struck such a chord?+ All hail Londons campest Christmas tree!+ Stay vigilant, Oregons googly eye bandit has struck again

Before you start panicking: no, people can't steal your credit cards via AirDrop.Contact sharing via the iPhoneYet another TikTok conspiracy video surrounding the iPhone has taken off. This time, the rumor warns users that AirDrop could be used to give anyone unrestricted access to "everything" stored within your iPhone including anything stored within Apple Wallet.It's unclear what the source of the rumor is, but creators like @vanessaromito13 are directing users to head to settings to disable AirDrop sharing. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A loaded 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple's top-of-the-line M4 Max chip is $200 off and in stock now, with delivery by Christmas.Save triple digits on a loaded 16-inch MacBook Pro.To pick up the premium Late 2024 16-inch MacBook Pro configuration, head over to Adorama.com and enter promo code APINSIDER during Step 4 of checkout.Use code APINSIDER Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) has received planning permission to build the new 670 Mesquit project in Downtown LA.Situated at the eastern edge of theArts District overlooking the LA River, the four-building scheme yields 894 new residential units, a hotel, charter school, and more than 676,000 square feet of office space.Studio-MLA is attached to the project as its landscape designer, delivering a layered connection of terraces and other areas between the former industrial site and riverbank that allows for an active indoor-outdoor lifestyle year-round for its users.Image credit: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)Image credit: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)BIGs founder said he and the design team "asked ourselves if we can renew the arts district by embracing rather than replacing the qualities that have spawned this unique urban culture. We have imagined a hybrid of two unique local typologies: the downtown warehouse and the case-study house."Image credit: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)Image cred...

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has updated their progress on the Unicorn Island tech hub development in Chengdu, China. The 165.5-acre project delivers worker housing and office/research space for 70,000. Buildings are arranged in clusters and established "organically" along a radial distribution since the project began completing its first buildings in January 2020. The master plan is located in theTianfu New Area.The firm also completed work on the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum in the city last October.

With a Final Entry Deadline on January 23rd, 2025, architects worldwide have the opportunity to showcase their work to Architizers amazing audience by entering the 13th Annual A+Awards. Architizers jury, comprising over 250 experts across architecture, technology and design, brings a wealth of global knowledge and diverse perspectives to the selection process. Each year, were thrilled to introduce new leaders who are shaping the future of the built environment with cutting-edge innovations and revolutionary ideas.Enter the 13th Annual A+AwardsThis year, we are proud to welcome five trailblazing experts who are redefining architecture through technology. From the integration of AI and generative design to the creation of mixed-reality environments and the critical exploration of the internets materiality, these innovators are paving the way for a more dynamic and inclusive profession. Their collective expertise spans computational design, game design, digital literacy and AI education, offering invaluable insights into how architecture can harness emerging tools to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time.Discover how these five exceptional thought leaders are reshaping the architectures technological landscape and bringing their expertise to this years Architizer A+Awards jury.Ismail SeleitAI Influencer, Foster + PartnersIsmail Seleit is a design architect at the industry-leading Foster and Partners, specializing in design technology. With extensive experience in architecture and computational design, Ismail has contributed to diverse projects, ranging from design competitions to the realization of buildings on various scales. Actively supporting design teams, Ismail leverages his expertise in BIM and Computational Design to navigate complex challenges. His primary focus is on enabling project teams to achieve efficient, informed, and collaborative design outcomes. Collaborating across departments, Ismail works to implement innovative methodologies to manage the design process from urban planning to product scale.Simultaneously, Ismail engages in applied research, exploring new opportunities for implementing cutting-edge design workflows. His research specifically focuses into the integration of generative AI image-generating tools, with a keen interest in the combination of Stable Diffusion and ControlNet. This unique approach offers various techniques for generating controlled image compositions based on diverse user-defined inputs. Beyond his architectural pursuits, Ismail is an ambient-electronic music producer, with a focus on film scores. He has composed and produced soundtracks for architectural short films and contributed to the music and sound design of various independent films. Ismails passion for creative thinking, coupled with his dedication to design problem-solving, continues to drive his multifaceted and innovative endeavors.Keir Regan-AlexanderPrincipal, Arka WorksKeir is an AEC Domain Expert operating with one foot in practice and one in live software development. He founded Arka Works with a mission to prepare the profession for AI-driven change. He does this by helping architects, clients and startups to effectively apply the latest Generative Design and AI tools to the work they already do, so that they can adapt to a rapidly shifting professional landscape.Mindy SeuDesigner and Technologist, UCLA Department of Design Media ArtsMindy Seu is a designer and technologist based in New York City and Los Angeles. Her expanded practice involves archival projects, techno-critical writing, performative lectures and design commissions. Her latest writing surveys feminist economies, historical precursors of the metaverse and the materiality of the internet. Mindys ongoing Cyberfeminism Index, which gathers three decades of online activism and net art, was commissioned by Rhizome, presented at the New Museum, and awarded the Graham Foundation Grant.She has lectured internationally at cultural institutions (Barbican Centre, New Museum), academic institutions (Columbia University, Central Saint Martins) and mainstream platforms (Pornhub, SSENSE, Google), and been a resident at MacDowell, Sitterwerk Foundation, Pioneer Works and Internet Archive. Her design commissions and consultation include projects for the Serpentine Gallery, Canadian Centre for Architecture and MIT Media Lab. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Frieze, Dazed, Brooklyn Rail, i-D and more. Mindy holds an M.Des. from Harvards Graduate School of Design and a B.A. in Design Media Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles. As an educator, Mindy was formerly an Assistant Professor at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts and Critic at Yale School of Art. She is currently an Associate Professor at University of California, Los Angeles in the Department of Design Media Arts.Stjepan MikulicFounder, AI in AEC j.d.o.oStjepan is the founder of AI in AEC, a company which educates architects, engineers and construction professionals in the practical use of AI. Albeit young, this company has clients in 54 countries across the entire globe! Before embarking on his solo-preneur journey, Stjepan has worked as a Constructing Architect at Europes largest engineering practice, Sweco, and as a BIM Lead in the world renowned architectural studio BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Stjepans main piece of work is the worlds largest database of AI tools for the AEC industry called the AEC AI Hub, accessible to everyone for free and recognized by more than 18k LinkedIn professionals.Leah WulfmanMixed Reality Architect, Educator, Game Designer, University of Utah, College of Architecture & Planning, Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD)Leah Wulfman is a Carrier Bag architect, educator, game designer, digital puppeteer and occasional writer. Trained as an architect, Wulfman has been assembling hybrid virtual and physical spaces to prototype new relationships to technology and nature and challenge normative ideologies so often reinforced by technology and architecture. In addition to mixed reality installations that play with and emphasize the physical, material basis of everything digital, they are presently working on a research series focusing on gamified environments, interactions and materials. Such mixed reality ecologies and interactions find their foundations in disability, trans and queer embodied practice and politics, and operate as lenses to reconfigure and re-contextualize space and time orientations in architectural discourse beyond the normative.Wulfman holds a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a Masters of Arts in Fiction and Entertainment at SCI-Arc. They have taught at numerous institutions in the United States, including ArtCenters Media Design Practices Graduate Program, IDEAS Program at UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, SCI-Arc, The School of Architecture at Taliesin, and most recently University of Michigans Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where they have developed youth programming and mixed reality coursework. Leah is now at the University of Utahs College of Architecture and Planning, where they are currently Visiting Assistant Professor in the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD).The Final Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, January 24. Get your brand in front of the AEC industrys most renowned designers by submitting today.The post Architizers A+Awards Jury Announces 5 Experts Leading the Architectural Tech Revolution appeared first on Journal.

Ema is a trained architect, writer and photographer whoworks as a Junior Architectat REX in NYC. Inspired by her global experiences, she shares captivating insights into the worlds most extraordinary cities and buildings and provides travel tips on her blog,The Travel Album.Architecture is often seen as the art of creating spaces, but at its core, it is also a profound act of storytelling an interpretation of the cultural and historical essence of a place. Each design tells a story not only of its function but also of the people, traditions and environment that shape it. I believe that for architects, working on projects in unfamiliar and different locations can be as transformative as traveling. Both experiences demand an openness to the unfamiliar, a respect for local traditions, and a willingness to learn from the surroundings. They challenge preconceived notions and inspire innovative solutions, fostering a deeper connection between design and the diverse tapestry of human experience.Architecture as a Two-Way ExchangePabelln 3Eby TACO Taller de Arquitectura Contextual, Yucatan, MexicoJust as a traveler learns to navigate new landscapes, tastes and customs, architects immersed in foreign projects confront the subtleties of cultural expectations, site-specific constraints and regional craftsmanship. Designing a library in Tokyo, for instance, requires an understanding of Japans spatial philosophies and reverence for light and shadow, while constructing a community center in Mexico may draw deeply on vibrant colors and the centrality of outdoor living. These lessons rooted in context and sensitivity shape not just the final design but also the architects worldview.In a way, architecture becomes a two-way exchange: the design adapts to reflect the spirit of its environment, while the designer absorbs lessons that redefine their creative process. The result is not merely a structure but a living testament to the dialogue between cultures. Like travel, such experiences leave a lasting imprint, enriching not only the places we create but also the people we become. Architecture, at its best, is a deeply human endeavor that bridges the physical world with the cultural, historical, and emotional layers of a place. Just as travel exposes us to new perspectives and enriches our understanding of the world, working on a diverse portfolio of architectural projects offers a similar transformation. For architects, engaging with projects in varied locations and cultures isnt just about creating buildings; its about creating connections and learning lessons that shape both professional and personal growth.The Parallels Between Travel and Designing Across CulturesHouse of the Big Archby FrankiePappas, South AfricaTravel is often celebrated for its ability to broaden horizons. It challenges us to adapt to unfamiliar environments, embrace different customs, and appreciate new ways of living. Architecture, when approached with a similar openness, offers the same rewards. Designing for clients from diverse cultural backgrounds or creating spaces in vastly different environments requires an architect to step outside their comfort zone and approach each project with fresh eyes. For instance, consider the difference between designing a home in the dense, vertical cities of East Asia versus a sprawling ranch in the wide-open landscapes of the American Midwest. Beyond just technical adaptations, the architect must understand the cultural values tied to these spaces, such as the importance of communal living in Japans compact layouts or the celebration of solitude and vastness in the rural U.S. These insights are not just professional skills; they are cultural lessons that stay with an architect long after the project ends.The House of the Big Arch by Frankie Pappas in South Africa demonstrates how architecture, like travel, thrives on adapting to and embracing unfamiliar contexts. Designed to weave through a private nature reserve, the house honors the lands ecological and cultural significance, showing how architects can learn from and respect their environment. Much like understanding communal living in a dense city or solitude in rural landscapes, this project reflects South Africas ethos of environmental stewardship. By letting the site guide the design, it offers lessons in humility and cultural insight that extend beyond the project, proving that architecture, like travel, is a journey of empathy and discovery.Working With Diverse Clients: A Masterclass in Human ConnectionCamp Sarika by Amangiri by Luxury Frontiers, Canyon Point, UtahTravel often fosters empathy by exposing us to diverse perspectives, teaching us to connect with people whose experiences and values differ from our own. Similarly, architects grow profoundly when working with clients from varied cultural and social backgrounds. These collaborations require more than technical expertisethey demand the ability to truly listen, adapt, and translate intangible aspirations into tangible spaces. Every project becomes a cultural exchange, where understanding the clients traditions, values, and needs shapes the designs authenticity. For instance, Camp Sarika by Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah, exemplifies how architecture can thoughtfully balance universal appeal with cultural and environmental specificity. Nestled in a breathtaking desert landscape, the design embraces the raw beauty of its surroundings while delivering a luxurious experience. The camps tented pavilions blend into the rugged terrain, using natural materials and soft, earthy tones that echo the deserts palette. Rather than overt cultural motifs, the design focuses on connecting guests to the natural world. Expansive views, minimalist interiors, and the careful positioning of structures allow the dramatic landscape to take center stage. This subtle approach respects the environment while creating a serene retreat for a global clientele seeking a deep connection to the land.These experiences teach architects to navigate the delicate balance between universal design principles and cultural specificity. They develop a sensitivity that allows them to create spaces that resonate deeply with their users, reflecting not only functional needs but also emotional and cultural narratives. Ultimately, this cross-cultural engagement enriches an architects approach, turning each project into a journey of connection, discovery, and shared understanding.Learning From Local Contexts: The Architect as a Cultural ObserverLaayoune Technology Schoolby El Kabbaj Kettani Siana Architects, MoroccoTravelers often marvel at the details of a new place the texture of cobblestones underfoot, the rhythm of daily life, or the interplay of light and shadow in a market square. Architects working in unfamiliar locations must similarly become keen observers, immersing themselves in the local context to inform their designs. Take, for instance, the use of local materials. In the sun-baked regions of Morocco, earth-based construction techniques like rammed earth walls naturally regulate temperature, offering both sustainability and cultural authenticity. In contrast, the wood-heavy structures of Nordic countries celebrate the abundant forests and connection to nature. An architect who studies and incorporates these local traditions gains not just practical knowledge but also a deeper respect for the ingenuity embedded in regional design practices.Situated in the arid climate of southern Morocco, the Laayoune Technology School project draws inspiration from traditional Moroccan construction techniques and the desert environment, demonstrating a profound understanding of local materials and cultural practices. The architects utilized earthy tones and textures that harmonize with the surrounding landscape, creating a building that feels like a natural extension of its environment. The use of courtyards, shaded walkways, and thick walls is not only practical for managing the regions intense heat but also reflects the spatial strategies found in traditional Moroccan architecture. These design elements ensure thermal comfort while paying homage to the cultural and environmental ingenuity of the region.The Professional and Personal Growth of a Globally Minded ArchitectNational Museum of Qatarby LObservatoire International, Doha, QatarJust as travel changes the way we see the world, working on diverse projects reshapes the way architects approach design by pushing them beyond their comfort zones. Each new project presents unique challenges different climates, materials, cultural norms and client expectations that demand fresh, creative responses. This process not only sharpens an architects adaptability but also broadens their understanding of how architecture can truly serve human needs in varying contexts.More importantly, this journey instills a deep sense of humility. Architects learn that they are not just designers but collaborators in a much larger narrative, one that includes the history, culture, and essence of a place. Every design decision becomes a conversation with its surroundings, ensuring the resulting spaces resonate with authenticity and purpose. This mindset transforms projects into opportunities for personal growth, as architects must listen, adapt, and immerse themselves in perspectives different from their own. This growth extends beyond the professional realm. Architects who embrace a diverse portfolio often find that their personal lives are similarly enriched. Lessons in collaboration, patience, and cultural appreciation influence how they approach relationships and interactions, fostering a deeper empathy and understanding of others. In this way, the act of designing becomes not just about creating buildings but also about building a more thoughtful, connected way of engaging with the world.Designing With a Travelers SpiritIn both architecture and travel, the journey is as important as the destination. Gaining experience working on projects in different locations, with clients from varied backgrounds, is a journey of discovery one that mirrors the transformative power of travel. Its about more than building structures; its about building connections, understanding cultures and leaving each place a little better than you found it. For architects, this approach not only enhances their designs but also shapes them into global citizens, capable of weaving the threads of diverse stories into meaningful spaces. Just as every trip changes the traveler, every project in a new place leaves an indelible mark on the architect, proving that the world itself is the greatest classroom for those willing to explore.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post How a Diverse Portfolio of Architectural Projects Unlocks the Wisdom of Travel appeared first on Journal.

The 500px Global Photography Awards are back, and were inviting photographers from around the world to submit their best photos taken or uploaded to 500px in 2024. Open to both Hobbyists and Professionals, these awards celebrate outstanding photography across six diverse categories.Whether youre a seasoned pro or just starting in photography, this is your chance to showcase your talent, connect with a global community of passionate photographers, and compete for $23,000 in incredible prizes.What are the 500px Global Photography Awards?The 500px Global Photography Awards are an annual competition designed to recognize and celebrate creativity, innovation, and storytelling in photography. Photographers can enter their work into one of six unique categories.Landscape: Showcase the beauty of nature, from grand vistas to intimate moments in the wild.Portrait: Capture the essence of human connection, emotion, and personality.Fine Art: Express your creativity with imaginative and artistic compositions.Documentary: Share compelling stories and real-world moments through honest imagery.Still Life: Turn everyday objects into works of art with careful composition.Architecture: Highlight the design, lines, and elegance of man-made structures.Each category will award two winnersone Hobbyist and one Professionalwith 12 total winners selected.Why submit to the awards?Heres why the 500px Global Photography Awards are worth your time:Recognition: Have your work seen and celebrated by a global photography community.Prizes: Compete for a share of $23,000 in prizes, including high-end gear, cash prizes, and more.Exposure: Winners will be featured on 500pxs blog, social media, and email campaigns, reaching millions of photography enthusiasts worldwide.Community: Be part of a passionate group of photographers who inspire and support one another.Submitting is free for all 500px members. Not a member? Sign up today and join the competition!What can you win?Category winners: Each of the six category winners (Pro and Hobbyist) will receive:Pro: DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo, Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD, Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack, Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod, Xpozer 2436 Print, and more. Total value: $2,000 US.Hobbyist: DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo, Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD, JOBY GorillaPod 3K Kit, Xpozer 2436 Print, and more. Total value: $900 US.Photographer of the Year (Selected from the category winners):Pro: DJI Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo, ThinkTank BackLight 26L Backpack, and $1,000 US cash prize. Total value: $4,150 US.Hobbyist: DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo, ThinkTank BackLight 26L Backpack, and $500 US cash prize. Total value: $1,800 US.How to enterEntering the 500px Global Photography Awards is easy:1. Join 500px: If youre not already a member, sign up for free and become part of a passionate photography community.2. Submit your work: Upload your best photos taken or uploaded in 2024 to one of the six categories.3. Stand out: Showcase your creativity, skill, and perspective to impress the judges.Key dates to rememberSubmissions open: December 17, 2024Submission deadline: January 19, 2024Dont waitstart planning your submissions now!Be part of the 500px Global Photography AwardsThe 500px Global Photography Awards are more than just a competitiontheyre a celebration of the art and passion that define photography. Whether youre a Professional looking to make your mark or a Hobbyist ready to share your talent, this is your chance to shine.Join the 500px community, submit your best work, and you could walk away with incredible prizes, recognition, and the coveted title of 500px Photographer of the Year.Submit your photos today!The post The 500px Global Photography Awards 2024: Submit your best work appeared first on 500px.