massive power outage struck Puerto Rico early Tuesday, leaving more than 1.2 million out of 1.4 million in the U.S. territory without power. The outage appears to be from a failing underground power line.LUMA Energy, a private company that oversees electricity transmission and distribution on the island, said, in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), that restoring power to the island could take between 24 and 48 hours, conditions permitting.LUMA has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is currently working with Genera and other generation partners to restart the electrical system and restore power following an island-wide outage that began at 5:30 a.m, the statement read.It continued, While the cause of the outage is under investigation, preliminary findings point to a fault on an underground line. Hours later, the company provided a later update noting that power had already been restored to certain areas.Near total blackouts in Puerto Rico are not common. However, the U.S. territory has struggled with power issues since 2017s Hurricane Maria, which impacted its already struggling power grid.Government officials have previously demanded answers from both Luma Energy, and Genera PR, the company responsible for maintenance of generation units.No more excuses, we dont want any more explanations, Carlos Mndez, a member of the islands House of Representatives, said in September 2024. The people deserve a clear and precise answer.In 2020, Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority began privatizing operations as it worked towards restructuring its nearly $9 in public debt, and towards modernizing its old, neglected infrastructure. At the time, it contracted two power companies, Luna Energy and Genera PR. The companies have appeared to blame each other for the persistent power struggles.In response to the government criticism, Luma issued a statement claiming Genera PR should accept its responsibility, as the outages have been a result of failing infrastructure it operates. On the contrary, Genera PR alleged that Luma Energy requested that it reduce generation, damaging units the company had been repairing.On Tuesday, Governor-elect Jenniffer Gonzlez shared an encouraging statement about what will change under her new leadership. We cannot continue with an energy system that fails our people so much. Events such as this mornings blackout and the uncertainty of a prompt energization of the island continue to affect our economy and quality of lifeI formed an Energy Task Force and it will be the main priority when I take up my duties as governor to provide our people with a stable electrical system, Gonzlez asserted.The Governor-elect also previously proposed the creation of an energy czar to oversee the contract with LUMA Energy.

Going into the new year, seniors who take prescription drugs and receive Medicare benefits are likely to shell out less for those treatments. Thats due to a provision in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, set to begin in 2025, which will cap out-of-pocket costs on prescriptions at $2,000 annually.Starting in 2025, all Medicare plans will include a $2,000 cap on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by your plan, Medicare.gov states. If your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,000 (including certain payments made on your behalf, like through the Extra Help program), youll automatically get catastrophic coverage. That means you wont have to pay out-of-pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.For seniors who have a lot of monthly prescriptions, that could add up to a lot of savings. Thats especially true because, according to Medicare.gov, a 2024 coverage gap called the donut hole left some Medicare recipients with a higher threshold to meet before their prescriptions were covered. The donut hole meant there was a temporary limit on what the drug plan would cover. In 2024, you wont get catastrophic coverage unless your out-of-pocket spending reaches $8,000, the page reads.Some enrollees with high prescription drug costs saw those expenses capped at $3,500 this year. In 2024, more than half a million hit that threshold less than halfway through the year. Prior to the Inflation Reduction Law, there was no cap on medication expenses covered by their Part D drug plans.Other provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act have already gone into effect, like lowering the cost on a number of prescription drugs. The Inflation Reduction Act has also sought to hold drug companies accountable for rising prices, too, by requiring that if companies raise prices faster than the rate of inflation, theyll be subject to paying a rebate to Medicare, essentially discouraging outlandish price hikes. If they do that, theyre going to have to pay the difference back to Medicare, President Biden said in August 2023 remarks. Thatll create an incentive to keep prices from skyrocketing. And negotiating drug prices alongside other parts of the law will save the federal government $160 billionreducing the cost of government by $160 billion.The law also made insulin available at $35/month per covered prescription, gave access to recommended adult vaccines without cost-sharing, and expanded the low-income subsidy program (LIS or Extra Help) under Medicare Part D to 150% of the federal poverty level.According to AARP, about three million Medicare members who dont receive the programs low-income subsidy will benefit from the 2025 prescription drug expense spending cap. That figure is expected to rise to four million over the next four years.

Happy New Year! As we wrap up 2024, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the four devices that have truly been my lifelines this year. Without them, Id be pretty much lostunproductive, disconnected, and out of touch with the people who matter most. These gadgets are essential parts of my daily life, seamlessly integrating into everything I do. Lets dive into why these devices are so pivotal for me.Designer: AppleiPhone 16 Pro Max: My Digital Swiss Army KnifeLets kick things off with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, my all-in-one companion. For most, its either Team iPhone or Team Android, but Im fortunate enough to straddle both camps. My Samsung Galaxy Fold 6 handles the heavy lifting at work, seamlessly managing emails, spreadsheets, and endless meetings. Meanwhile, the iPhone is my ride-or-die personal device, the one I reach for first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Its practically glued to my hand, a constant presence that keeps me connected no matter where I am. Even when its charging on the dock, Im still tethered to it via iPhone mirroring on my MacBook, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.Apple iPhone 16 ProWhy Its Core to My LifeiMessage is the digital glue holding my social circle together. With friends, family, colleagues, and PR contacts all wielding iPhones, its the no-brainer choice for staying in touch. When planning a spontaneous weekend getaway, managing work-related travel, sharing updates with my family, or brainstorming with colleagues, iMessage makes communication effortless and reliable. FaceTime is our go-to for check-ins, especially with my girls as they navigate their school days. Those virtual hugs and daily catch-ups keep our bond strong, even when physical distance tries to pull us apart.The camera game on the iPhone has revolutionized how I capture moments. Gone are the days of lugging around a bulky camera for personal snapshots or professional-grade stills and videos. If Im documenting a scenic hike, creating content for Yanko Design, or capturing candid family moments, the iPhones camera system delivers stunning results every time. The ease of switching between modes with the new Camera Control feature means I can adapt quickly to any situation, ensuring I never miss a shot.Why the iPhone 16 Pro Max Matters to MeThe iPhone 16 Pro Max is a visual masterpiece with its 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The crisp 2868 x 1320 pixels at 460 ppi make everything from photos to videos pop with incredible detail. ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz ensures scrolling, and animations are buttery smooth, which makes even mundane tasks like browsing social media or reading articles a delightful experience. The Always-On display keeps me updated with notifications and time without constantly waking the device, allowing me to stay informed at a glance.Built with a titanium frame and the latest Ceramic Shield front, this phone is a tank. Ive had my share of butterfingers momentsaccidental drops, slips from my handbut this device has survived them all without a scratch. The Natural Titanium color I have perfectly complements my style and draws attention with its blend of sophistication and rugged durability. If Im navigating vibrant city streets or exploring remote landscapes, the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands up to the challenge.Apple iPhone 16 ProUnder the hood, the A18 Pro chipset is an absolute beast. With a 15% faster CPU and a 20% GPU boost compared to last years model, multitasking is a breeze. I can effortlessly switch between editing videos in CapCut, managing projects in Asana, and keeping up with my photography in Photos without any lag. High-end mobile gaming runs smoothly, providing a perfect escape during breaks. With storage options up to 1TB, I never worry about running out of space for my extensive photo library, videos, or myriad apps. This capacity also allows me to capture and store RAW photos, ensuring I preserve every detail of my work and memories.Battery life is another area where the iPhone 16 Pro Max shines. I can go a full day of heavy use without breaking a sweat, whether traveling, working, or spending time with family. When I need to charge, the fast charging and wireless capabilities mean Im never tethered to an outlet for long. Whether in a coffee shop waiting for inspiration to strike or at home winding down, my iPhone is always ready to keep up with my pace.iOS 18 brings many new customization options and features that enhance my daily interactions. Im particularly excited about the existing and upcoming Apple Intelligence capabilities, which make it feel like were on the cusp of a new era in smartphone interaction. To me, Apple Intelligence is pivotal for the company moving forward, but thats another discussion. The software updates keep my device fresh and aligned with my evolving needs, from more intelligent notifications to enhanced privacy features.In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro Max isnt just a phoneits my personal assistant, creative tool, and window to the world. At $1,099, its not the cheapest option out there, but its worth every penny for what it brings to the table. Stay tuned for my next picks that round out my tech trifecta for 2024!MacBook Air M3 15-inch & MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch: Power Meets PortabilityNext up are the MacBook Air M3 15-inch and its recently introduced cousin, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch. These sleek, portable machines are Apples latest and greatest, packing a serious punch in stylish packages that have become indispensable in my daily routine.MacBook Air M3 15-inch: The Big Screen DreamThe MacBook Air M3 15-inch is like the cool older sibling of the Air family. It strikes the perfect balance between portability and screen real estate, making you think, Yeah, I could work on this all day. If Im drafting articles, editing images, or watching a movie during a long flight, the expansive 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is a visual treat. With a native resolution of 2880 x 1864 pixels, 224 pixels per inch (PPI), and 500 nits of brightness, this screen delivers stunning clarity and vibrant colors. Supporting 1 billion colors, the wide color (P3) gamut and True Tone technology ensure every detail looks accurate and lifelike. The larger screen real estate compared to the 13-inch model provides more workspace while maintaining the same pixel density for crisp visuals across the entire display. Its functional and versatile, allowing me to switch between multiple windows and applications without feeling cramped.At 3.3 pounds, the MacBook Air M3 is still remarkably portable for a 15-inch device. It slides effortlessly into my backpack, ready to accompany me from working on articles in an airplane, catching up on emails at the airport, or sitting inside my Tesla while waiting for the kids at tennis practice. The lightweight design means I can carry it around all day without feeling burdened, making it the perfect companion for work and play.Powered by the M3 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, this MacBook handles everything from editing 4K videos to juggling 50 Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat. Working on a tight deadline or indulging in some creative brainstorming, the MacBook Air M3 ensures that my workflow remains smooth and uninterrupted. The impressive battery life claimed to be up to 18 hours, means I can go from sunrise to sunset without worrying about finding an outlet, keeping me productive and entertained throughout the day.MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch: The New Kid on the BlockThis is a dream device with powerful specs and a compact design. The MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch is perfect for any situation that demands peak performance and portability when I need serious performance in a portable package. The M4 Pro chipfeaturing a 12-core CPU with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, alongside a 16-core GPUeasily ensures that this MacBook can handle the most demanding tasks. From rendering complex 3D models to compiling code or streaming high-definition content, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro delivers speed and efficiency that keep up with my fast-paced lifestyle.Despite its smaller 13.3-inch size, the display is nothing short of impressive. The new nano-texture coating enhances the Liquid Retina XDR display, significantly reducing glare and ensuring clarity in diverse lighting conditions. This feature transforms my workflow, whether Im editing photos in my sunroom surrounded by windows, preparing reports inside my car during tennis practice, or fine-tuning visuals on an airplane. Supporting vibrant colors and deep blacks, the displays ProMotion technology ensures every scroll and animation is buttery smooth, making it equally suited for productivity and entertainment. Its 120Hz refresh rate and anti-glare technology ensure that even under direct sunlight or harsh reflections, I can easily focus on the task at hand.Apple has listened to the pros by adding three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot, making connectivity a breeze. These ports are a game-changer for media mavens like me, allowing easy transfers of large files, seamless connections to external displays, and effortless integration with my other devices. Including HDMI and an SD card slot eliminates the need for multiple adapters, streamlining my workflow and making my setup more efficient.Battery life on the MacBook Pro M4 Pro is another standout feature, offering up to 22 hours of video playback. In real-world terms, this means I can work, create, and entertain myself for nearly two full days without needing to recharge. Whether traveling for work or enjoying a weekend getaway, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro ensures that I stay connected and productive no matter where I am.Why These Devices Define My WorkflowThe MacBook Air M3 15-inch has become my reliable partner for tackling detailed work sessions and creative projects. Its lightweight design and expansive screen make it ideal for writing articles, editing visuals, or brainstorming new ideas. Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch handles the heavy lifting, stepping in when I face tight deadlines or need to manage complex, multitasking assignments.These devices help me get things done and transform how I work. They enhance my focus and enable me to bring my ideas to life seamlessly. Planning my next big article or taking a well-earned break with a movie, they integrate perfectly into my day-to-day activities. More than tools, these MacBooks are essential to how I create, connect, and stay productive every single day.Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 Titanium: A New Era in Wearable TechThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 Titanium represent Apples bold evolution in wearable technology. The Ultra 2 refines everything great about the original Ultra. Its 3000-nit display is bright enough to handle direct sunlight, perfect for outdoor adventures or early morning runs. The new S9 chip delivers faster performance, enabling smoother interactions and improved responsiveness. Features like the new double-tap gesture make controlling the watch intuitive, even during activities that keep my hands occupied.Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 10 (Titanium) vs. Apple Watch Series 10 (Aluminum)Battery life, extending up to 72 hours in low-power mode, is critical for my lifestyle. Whether Im on extended trips, navigating back-to-back workdays, or ensuring fitness tracking continuity, its a feature I rely on without hesitation. Its rugged design and water resistance make it a dependable companion for adventures ranging from hiking to diving, ensuring its ready for anything.The Series 10 Titanium shifts the focus toward elegance without sacrificing functionality. With a 10% thinner profile, it transforms the wearing experience, sitting comfortably on my wrist throughout workouts and formal events alike. While this reduction might seem minimal, it creates a noticeable difference in how naturally the watch rests, offering unparalleled comfort for extended wear.Both models deliver Apples robust suite of health metrics, from heart rate monitoring to advanced sleep tracking, pivotal to maintaining my well-being. These tools allow me to balance a demanding schedule while keeping wellness goals in check. I depend on features like stress monitoring, temperature sensing, and tailored workout adjustments to stay informed and proactive about my health.These watches have become essential in tracking the metrics that matter most to me, ensuring I stay connected to my health while managing a busy life. For a detailed breakdown of these devices and why theyre indispensable to my routine, I invite you to read my full review here on Yanko Design.Apples decision to introduce the Ultra 2 and Series 10 Titanium instead of updating the original Ultra represents a strategic move to address diverse needs in the smartwatch market. The Ultra 2 pushes the limits with enhanced durability and advanced features, making it the ultimate outdoor companion for adventurers, athletes, and those who demand top-tier performance. Its brighter display, improved battery life, and cutting-edge technology ensure it performs seamlessly in the harshest conditions.In contrast, the Series 10 Titanium balances style and functionality. Its 10% thinner design transforms the wearing experience, resting flatter on the wrist for enhanced comfort. While the thinner profile might seem minor, the difference is noticeable during high-intensity workouts or daily wear. With features like water depth and temperature sensing borrowed from the Ultra, its ideal for professionals who need a watch that transitions effortlessly between the gym, office, and beyond. The polished titanium finish adds durability and sophistication, ensuring its as versatile as it is elegant.Both models cater to unique lifestyles but share a common strength: delivering advanced health metrics that are key to tracking fitness goals and overall well-being. These features are pivotal to my routine, whether Im monitoring activity levels, managing stress, or planning a healthier lifestyle. I invite you to read my full review here on Yanko Design for a detailed breakdown of these devices and why they matter.Apple AirPods Pro 2: The Soundtrack to My LifeLast but certainly not least, lets talk about the Apple AirPods Pro 2. These wireless earbuds are an essential tech accessorytheyre my constant companion at work, during travel, and even in moments of downtime. With low to mild hearing loss and tinnitus, the AirPods Pro 2s groundbreaking over-the-counter hearing aid features alone are enough reason for me to have a couple of sets on hand. Theyve become integral to my daily routine, enhancing every moment with exceptional sound quality and seamless functionality. Theyre so important to me that I actually own three pairs: two AirPods Pro 2 and the new AirPods 4 ANC, ensuring Im always prepared for any situation.AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4 + ANCTheAirPods Pro 2comes equipped with a custom high-excursion Apple driver and a custom high-dynamic range amplifier, delivering crisp, high-definition sound that makes my favorite tunes sound better than ever.Jamming out while mowing the lawn, immersing myself in a podcast during a long drive, or catching every word of dialogue on a flightthese buds provide an unparalleled audio experience. The rich, detailed soundscape they create makes every listening session enjoyable, no matter where I am or what Im doing.Noisy plane engines or busy city streets used to be distractions. The AirPods Pro 2 features pro-level active noise cancellation, up to 2x quieter than its predecessor. This makes flights more peaceful, commutes less stressful, and work-from-home days free from interruptions. The Adaptive Transparency mode seamlessly adjusts to let in important sounds, whether Im waiting for announcements at the airport or walking through the neighborhood.Long days or extended trips are no match for the AirPods Pro 2. They offer up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours total with the charging case. If Im in a pinch, just 5 minutes of charging provides an hour of usea lifesaver during busy schedules or when I forget to charge them overnight.The touch controls are intuitive and make everyday tasks effortless. Adjusting the volume with a quick swipe or switching between modes with a press feels natural. The Hey Siri functionality is a bonus for hands-free tasks, whether Im working in the kitchen, carrying luggage, or multitasking at my desk. Theyre tools that adapt to how I live and work, ensuring I stay focused and productive.Four ear tip sizes (including XS) ensure a perfect fit for hours of comfort, whether Im on a domestic flight or tackling a long day of meetings. Built with sweat and water resistance (IPX4 rated), these earbuds handle everything from workouts to sudden rain showers without missing a beat.Apples AirPods Pro 2 have introduced groundbreaking hearing health features, transforming them into a comprehensive hearing assistance device.The AirPods Pro 2 now offers a clinical-grade hearing aid feature designed for those with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. After completing a clinically validated hearing test, they personalize the listening experience by boosting specific sounds like speech or environmental elements. This real-time adjustment includes fine-tuning settings such as amplification, balance, and tone. These features make them effective across various environments, whether at home, in a bustling city, or during a meeting.The hearing test itself is quick, taking about 5 minutes to complete. It uses pure-tone audiometry to play a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes. The results are comparable to professional audiograms, offering a reliable way to assess hearing health from home.In addition to aiding hearing, the AirPods Pro 2 incorporate active Hearing Protection, shielding users from exposure to potentially harmful noise levels. Whether commuting, working in loud environments, or simply enjoying outdoor activities, this feature minimizes risks while maintaining the clarity and dynamic range of audio.The integration with the Apple ecosystem further enhances usability. Setting adjustments are seamless across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and quick access is provided through the Control Center and the Health app for tracking and managing hearing test results.These features, combined with advanced customization options like Conversation Boost and ambient noise reduction, make the AirPods Pro 2 indispensable for me. Whether Im monitoring health metrics, managing tinnitus, or enjoying crystal-clear audio on the go, these earbuds are a testament to Apples commitment to accessibility and innovation.The AirPods Pro 2 is like having a personal sound engineer, hearing aid, and battery wizard packed into a compact design. Whether tackling a to-do list, jetting off to new destinations, or enjoying quiet moments at home, they keep me connected, comfortable, and immersed in exceptional sound. Theyre indispensable to my life and work.Goodbye 2024, I Bid You Farewell!As we wrap up 2024, its clear that these four Apple devices the iPhone 16 Pro Max, MacBook Air M3 15-inch, MacBook Pro M4 Pro 13-inch, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10 Titanium, and AirPods Pro 2have been indispensable in enhancing my productivity, connectivity, and overall lifestyle. Each device seamlessly integrates into my daily routine, from the versatile capabilities of the iPhone and the powerful performance of the MacBook to the health and convenience offered by the Apple Watches and the immersive audio experience of the AirPods. Together, they have streamlined my work and personal life and kept me connected and healthy in ways I couldnt have imagined without them.Id love to hear from youwhat devices have been most important to you in 2024? How have they impacted your life, and what new technologies are you excited about for 2025? Share your favorite gadgets and tech aspirations for the coming year in the comments below or on social media. Lets celebrate the technology that has kept us connected and look forward to the innovations that will shape our lives in the new year!The post My Lifelines of 2024: The Devices That Kept Me Connected, Productive, and Inspired first appeared on Yanko Design.

Collaborations between fashion and lifestyle brands can sometimes be a hit or miss. But if the two brands share the same vision and values, then it can often be a hit. Lifestyle brand Kith has had its fair share of great collaborations and to close out the year, they have partnered with adventure sneaker brand Salomon to come up with not one but two pairs of collectible footwear. Designers: Kith x SalomonThe XT-4 retro trail runner is one of the more popular items by Salomon and now they are releasing a collaborative version that has more colorways and of course co-branding. This updated version has closed mesh, synthetic leather uppers, reflective accents, and also more options for colors. You can choose between the white and red colorway or the black and red one (or get both) to match your outfit and aesthetic. Meanwhile, the other collaboration is a new version of Salomons archival Adventure 7, released back in 1994. The XT-Voyager is the 2024 version complete with mesh lining, ballistic nylon overlays, and a synthetic upper with debossed suede. It also has a zippered tongue and a hidden Quicklace closure. Its meant for adventurous trecks as it has a dual-density midsole and the Contragrip rubber outsole. The XT-Voyager has more of a retro feel while the XT-4 retro trail runner has a more modern aesthetic. They are now available at the Kith website and app for around $220 each but they are limited editions so you should get one now if these appeal to your adventure and fashion sensibilities. The post Kith and Salomon collaborate on updated adventure sneakers first appeared on Yanko Design.

The past 12 months have been undeniably busy for those working in AI. There have been more successful product launches than we can count, and even Nobel Prizes. But it hasnt always been smooth sailing.AI is an unpredictable technology, and the increasing availability of generative models has led people to test their limits in new, weird, and sometimes harmful ways. These were some of 2024s biggest AI misfires.AI slop infiltrated almost every corner of the internetGenerative AI makes creating reams of text, images, videos, and other types of material a breeze. Because it takes just a few seconds between entering a prompt for your model of choice to spit out the result, these models have become a quick, easy way to produce content on a massive scale. And 2024 was the year we started calling this (generally poor quality) media what it isAI slop.This low-stakes way of creating AI slop means it can now be found in pretty much every corner of the internet: from the newsletters in your inbox and books sold on Amazon, to ads and articles across the web and shonky pictures on your social media feeds. The more emotionally evocative these pictures are (wounded veterans, crying children, a signal of support in the Israel-Palestine conflict) the more likely they are to be shared, resulting in higher engagement and ad revenue for their savvy creators.AI slop isnt just annoyingits rise poses a genuine problem for the future of the very models that helped to produce it. Because those models are trained on data scraped from the internet, the increasing number of junky websites containing AI garbage means theres a very real danger models output and performance will get steadily worse.AI art is warping our expectations of real events2024 was also the year that the effects of surreal AI images started seeping into our real lives. Willys Chocolate Experience, a wildly unofficial immersive event inspired by Roald Dahls Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, made headlines across the world in February after its fantastical AI-generated marketing materials gave visitors the impression it would be much grander than the sparsely-decorated warehouse its producers created.Similarly, hundreds of people lined the streets of Dublin for a Halloween parade that didnt exist. A Pakistan-based website used AI to create a list of events in the city, which was shared widely across social media ahead of October 31. Although the SEO-baiting site (myspirithalloween.com) has since been taken down, both events illustrate how misplaced public trust in AI-generated material online can come back to haunt us.Grok allows users to create images of pretty much any scenarioThe vast majority of major AI image generators have guardrailsrules that dictate what AI models can and cant doto prevent users from creating violent, explicit, illegal, and other types of harmful content. Sometimes these guardrails are just meant to make sure that no one makes blatant use of others intellectual property. But Grok, an assistant made by Elon Musks AI company, called xAI, ignores almost all of these principles in line with Musks rejection of what he calls woke AI.Whereas other image models will generally refuse to create images of celebrities, copyrighted material, violence, or terrorismunless theyre tricked into ignoring these rulesGrok will happily generate images of Donald Trump firing a bazooka, or Mickey Mouse holding a bomb. While it draws the line at generating nude images, its refusal to play by the rules undermines other companies efforts to steer clear of creating problematic material.Sexually explicit deepfakes of Taylor Swift circulated onlineIn January, non-consensual deepfake nudes of singer Taylor Swift started circulating on social media, including X and Facebook. A Telegram community tricked Microsofts AI image generator Designer into making the explicit images, demonstrating how guardrails can be circumvented even when they are in place.While Microsoft quickly closed the systems loopholes, the incident shone a light on the platforms poor content-moderation policies, after posts containing the images circulated widely and remained live for days. But the most chilling takeaway is how powerless we still are to fight non-consensual deepfake porn. While watermarking and data-poisoning tools can help, theyll need to be adopted much more widely to make a difference.Business chatbots went haywireAs AI becomes more widespread, businesses are racing to adopt generative tools to save time and money, and to maximize efficiency. The problem ischatbots make stuff up and cant be relied upon to always provide you with accurate information.Air Canada found this out the hard way after its chatbot advised a customer to follow a bereavement refund policy that didnt exist. In February, a Canadian small-claims tribunal upheld the customers legal complaint, despite the airlines assertion that the chatbot was a separate legal entity that is responsible for its own actions.In other high-profile examples of how chatbots can do more harm than good, delivery firm DPDs bot cheerfully swore and called itself useless with little prompting, while a different bot set up to provide New Yorkers with accurate information about their citys government ended up dispensing guidance on how to break the law.AI gadgets arent exactly setting the market alightHardware assistants are something the AI industry tried, and failed, to crack in 2024. Humane attempted to sell customers on the promise of the Ai Pin, a wearable lapel computer, but even slashing its price failed to boost weak sales. The Rabbit R1, a ChatGPT-based personal assistant device, suffered a similar fate, following a rash of critical reviews and reports that it was slow and buggy. Both products seemed to be trying to solve a problem that did not actually exist.AI search summaries went awryHave you ever added glue to a pizza, or eaten a small rock? These are just some of the outlandish suggestions that Googles AI Overviews feature gave web users in May after the search giant added generated responses to the top of search results. Because AI systems cant tell the difference between a factually correct news story and a joke post on Reddit, users raced to find the strangest responses AI Overviews could generate.But AI summaries can also have serious consequences. A new iPhone feature that groups app notifications together and creates summaries of their contents, recently generated a false BBC News headline. The summary falsely stated that Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with the murder of healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself. The same feature had previously created a headline claiming that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested, which was also incorrect. These kinds of errors can inadvertently spread misinformation and undermine trust in news organizations.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is being remembered for his impact on homebuilding across the country after his death on December 29th at the age of 100. Both he and his late wife Rosalynn Carter helped increase awareness of Habitat for Humanitys mission after they became involved locally as volunteer builders in their home state of Georgia in the 1980s.The National Association of Homebuilders said: "President Carter was always an advocate for affordable housing. For decades in his post-presidency, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, kept this vital issue front and center [...] With his own hands, President Carter helped to build countless homes for worthy families because he understood that homeownership is vital to the American way of life."We included the nonprofit as part of our guide to the best volunteering opportunities for architects in April of this year.

The dawn of congestion pricing in parts of New York City is upon us for 2025 after a ruling on an ongoinglawsuit cleared the path for $9 tolls to begin in January, reports NYCs local NBC affiliate. The ruling, which is conversely being framed as a victory for petitioners from the State of New Jersey, allows the MTA to move "full speed ahead" on implementation with a remand to answer the courts remaining questions onair quality no later than January 17th. This summer, the issue waspointed to by Kate Wagner as being one of many "quite mundane"cause clbres for architects and planners to rally behind as individual "agents of change."

Another mixed-use development in Shanghai from Foster + Partners, the Sanlin Riverside development, has been added to the pipeline after breaking ground recently. The project, which couples with the Changfeng mixed-use development in the city's Science and Technology Finance hub to become the firms second new Shanghai project weve covered this year, offers users a connection to its waterfront site with a new anchoring landmark building to be used for retail.The firm says each new building in the development will showcase a "modern representation of 20th century Shanghainese architecture" that will "bring a spirit of community to this new part of Shanghai." The country's largest metro has seen an influx of significant new architecture in 2024 with the addition of designs from Safdie Architects, Neri&Hu, andPEI Architects. Snhetta's newGrand Opera Housescheme will provide another headliner soon as we look forward to 2025.

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Sequential recommendation systems play a key role in creating personalized user experiences across various platforms, but they also face persistent challenges. Traditionally, these systems rely on users interaction histories to predict preferences, often leading to generic recommendations. While integrating auxiliary data such as item descriptions or intent predictions can provide some improvement, these systems struggle to adapt to user preferences in real-time. Additionally, the absence of comprehensive benchmarks for evaluating preference discernment limits the ability to assess their effectiveness in diverse scenarios.To tackle these issues, a team of researchers from Meta AI, ELLIS Unit, LIT AI Lab, Institute for Machine Learning, JKU Linz, Austria, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, introduces a paradigm called preference discerning, supported by a generative retrieval model named Mender (Multimodal Preference Discerner). This approach explicitly conditions recommendation systems on user preferences expressed in natural language. Leveraging large language models (LLMs), the framework extracts preferences from reviews and item-specific data, transforming them into actionable insights.Mender captures items at two levels of abstraction: semantic IDs and natural language descriptions. This multimodal approach ensures a more nuanced understanding of user preferences. By combining preference approximationderiving preferences from user datawith preference conditioning, Mender allows systems to dynamically adapt to specific user preferences. Additionally, Meta AI has introduced a benchmark that evaluates preference discerning across five dimensions: preference-based recommendation, sentiment following, fine- and coarse-grained steering, and history consolidation, setting a new standard for evaluating personalization.Technical Features and Advantages of MenderMenders design focuses on integrating user preferences with interaction data seamlessly. It uses pre-trained language models to encode preferences and interaction histories in natural language. Its cross-attention mechanisms enable the decoder to predict semantic IDs for recommended items. Mender comes in two variants:MenderTok: Processes preferences and item sequences holistically, supporting fine-tuning.MenderEmb: Precomputes embeddings for efficient training.Key benefits of Mender include:Preference Steering: Tailoring recommendations dynamically based on user-specified preferences.Sentiment Integration: Utilizing user sentiment to enhance accuracy.History Consolidation: Merging new preferences with historical data to refine results.Results and InsightsMeta AIs evaluation of Mender highlights its significant performance improvements on datasets such as Amazon reviews and Steam. For instance:On the Amazon Beauty subset, MenderTok improved Recall@10 by over 45% compared to baseline models.In sentiment following, Mender effectively identified and acted on user sentiments, outperforming other methods by up to 86%.For fine-grained steering, Mender achieved a 70.5% relative improvement, demonstrating its ability to align recommendations with nuanced preferences.ConclusionMeta AIs preference discerning paradigm offers a fresh perspective on sequential recommendation systems, focusing on explicit user preferences articulated in natural language. By integrating LLMs, multimodal representations, and a robust benchmark, this approach improves personalization while providing a framework for future development. With plans to open-source the underlying code and benchmarks, this work has the potential to benefit a broad range of applications, advancing the field of personalized recommendations.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)