This review contains no spoilers for Severance season 2. Severance season 2 clocks in to work with the understanding that it must prove itself all over again.Part of that understanding is an acknowledgement that a lengthy hiatus between seasons may have built up some skepticism among audiences. The other aspect, however, is more elemental to the medium itself. When it comes to serialized science fiction on television, second seasons are what separate the contenders from the pretenders.Its one thing to enchant a viewers pattern-seeking brain with a freshman year full of compelling questions, its another thing entirely to craft a sophomore outing that offers up equally compelling answers. The graveyard of TV history is lined with the corpses of Lost clones that came out of the gates strong before their mystery box narratives opened up to reveal nothing.With its brilliant first season, Severance already made clear that it had mastered the mystery box question-posing format. The series features an intriguing sci-fi premise in which individuals undergo a severance procedure to separate their consciousness between their work lives and home lives. While initially pitched as an act of compartmentalizing self care from Lumon Industries, the creation of distinct Innie and Outtie egos within one body is anything but therapeutic. That literally interpersonal dynamic along with the mysterious nature of what the Innies are even working on effortlessly carried the first nine episodes of storytelling. By the time the season 1 finale concludes, the Innies in the Macrodata Refinement department have successfully contacted the outside world while learning some uncomfortable truths about their Outties and the other secrets that Lumon keeps from them.Severance season 2 has a lot of momentum built up and resolves not to waste it, even if it runs the risk of alienating an audience that might not have rewatched the show since it last wrapped in April 2022. For what its worth, Apple TV+ is well aware of the fact that you likely remember very little from season 1 as it sticks an unusually-detailed recap before the first episode. That previously-on still cant quite capture the full depth of the excellent, yet disorienting plot so far. Thankfully, the internet is sure to be saturated with more complete Severance Season 1 Recap breakdowns (including here at Den of Geek) prior to the January 17 release.Once the initial confusion is resolved through recap perusal or sheer force of recollective will, Severance season 2 absolutely flies by. This seasons 10 episodes (all of which were screened for the purposes of this review), easily meet the creative standard of season 1 and in many ways exceed it. Under creator and showrunner Dan Ericksons lead, the narrative understands the precise balance of mystery vs. resolution necessary to keep the viewer on the hook. The plot is as surgical as the severance procedure itself.Many times throughout Severance season 2 one gets the sense that all the twists, turns, and teases should be exhausting (particularly when viewed in a bingeing format rather than through the shows weekly release model) but somehow they never are. Like the aforementioned failed Lost knockoffs that dot the annals of TV history, Severance has no problem leaving its audience in the dark. Unlike those Lost knockoffs, however, Severance is able to maintain goodwill by presenting each new confusing morsel as a delight for the senses. Who is Kier Eagan? What is Lumons mission? Why is there a room full of baby goats? Well get around to all that, but first: heres special guest star Gwendoline Christie!It also certainly helps that the visual language of the show remains striking. Once again assisted by director Ben Stiller (who helms five of this seasons episodes), the uncanny sets, lighting, and colors of Severance give off the sensation of a haunted corporate training video come to life. That becomes particularly important in maintaining the work sucks, huh? allegory as the show evolves to incorporate more of the Outtie world and deep Lumon lore.Of course, none of it works without a compelling cast at the center of it all. Adam Scott continues to be one of Hollywoods more underrated performers as Mark Scout a.k.a. Mark S, whose character takes on an almost mythical level of importance this year. Britt Lower deals with the competing motivations of Helly R and Helena Eagan capably while Zach Cherrys Dylan G and John Turturros Irving B have moments of real heroism. Then theres Tramell Tillman who I steadfastly refuse to believe is an actual actor hired for this series and not merely Mr. Milchicks unaware Outtie so convincing is his performance as the ultimate upward-striving middle manager.Weve made it this far in the review without discussing any pertinent season 2 plot details and might as well continue to do so. Even discounting the specter of Apples thick list of Do Not Reveal embargoes hanging overhead, there is be little temptation to spoil the narrative. Rest assured, there is more to learn about Kier Eagan taming the four tempers, whats going on with Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman), and why Harmony Cobel a.k.a. Mrs. Selvig (Patricia Arquette) has a strange relationship to this whole charade.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!While much of the fun of Severance comes from the delight of discovery, its to the shows credit that not all of its value is tied to element of surprise. Season 2 is filled with truly remarkable character beats and thematic elements that will still play effectively upon additional viewings for years to come. The finale, in particular, is the best episode of the series thus far and features affecting scenes that only a well-written science fiction story can produce. In fact, the season 2 finale could play well as a series finale should the show choose to end it here. Hopefully the story continues and season 3 rolls along at an expedited pace. Truthfully though, Id wait as long as it took for more episodes of Severance. I even heard about this procedure that could cut down on the time I spend at work waiting for itSeverance season 2 premieres Friday, January 17 on Apple TV+. New episodes debut on Fridays, culminating with the finale on March 21.

Welcome to our first Coming Soon announcement for 2025! And special welcome to all you new friends that picked up gaming hardware the last few weeks. Lets get you prepped for what to install or play next. To the games!Available TodayRoad 96 (Cloud, Console, and PC) January 7Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardReturning to the Game Pass library, Road 96 is a crazy, beautiful road-trip. On this risky road trip to the border, youll meet incredible characters and discover their intertwined stories and secrets in an ever-evolving adventure. But every mile opens a choice to make. Your decisions will change your adventure, change the people you meet, and maybe even change the world.Coming SoonLightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Xbox Series X|S) January 8Now with Game Pass StandardStart your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure! Build your sustainable exofarm, grow alien crops, customize your mech, and explore a new world full of mystery with up to three friends!My Time at Sandrock (Console) January 8Now with Game Pass StandardJust like My Time at Portia, My Time at Sandrock takes place in a wholesome post-apocalyptic world 300 years after the Day of Calamity destroyed most modern technologies. Gather resources to build machines, befriend locals, and defend Sandrock from monsters all while saving the town from economic ruin!Robin Hood Sherwood Builders (Xbox Series X|S) January 8Now with Game Pass StandardJoin Robin Hood and his unwavering band of outlaws in 12th-century England on their mission to free Nottingham. Travel across various regions, build up a secret hideout village and help the denizens of the surrounding lands. Complete quests, construct various builds, craft a broad range of items, and freely explore locations inspired by both myth and history in this open-world RPG with base-building features.Rolling Hills (Console) January 8Now with Game Pass StandardServe sushi as a robot chef in Rolling Hills, a life sim about running your own restaurant in a cozy village. Make new friends, purchase ingredients, enhance your shop, and improve the lives of your neighbors as you perfect your craft!EA Sports UFC 5 (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) EA Play January 14Game Pass UltimateUnleash your fury and get unlimited access to EA Sports UFC 5, coming to Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, members can score the Bruce Lee Bundle and play as alter egos of the father of mixed martial arts, available at no additional cost in the Perks section from January 14 to February 11.Diablo (PC) January 14Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassReturn to the legendary town of Tristram in Diablo, the groundbreaking action-RPG that defined the genre, coming to Game Pass on January 14! With its satisfying progression, deep character customization, and intense battles, Diablo delivers an unforgettable journey through a dark gothic fantasy world.Xbox Game Pass Ultimate PerksNew year, new Perks! Check the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on PC on a regular basis to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership.First Descendant Season 2: Ancestors Bundle Available nowPlay the next-generation looter shooter, The First Descendant, and elevate your experience with the exclusive Season 2: Ancestors Bundle! Customize your Descendants and weapons with unique styles and enhancements!Vigor: Coast Guardian Pack Available nowBeneath the shimmering northern lights on the frozen coast of Anniken, a silent lighthouse overlooks the Outlands. Gear up and carry the legacy of this iconic landmark into every battle with the Coast Guardian Pack.Apex Legends: Feelin Lucky? Weapon Charm Available nowAdd some flair to your arsenal with the Feelin Lucky? Weapon Charm. Equip this to your favorite weapon and battle for glory, fame, and fortune in style.Metaball: Punk Pack January 7Metaball is a free-to-play, crossplay-enabled multiplayer sports game with fast-paced action. The Punk Pack unlocks seven colorful and cool legendary outfits!Leaving January 15The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, so be sure to show them some love and jump in before they go. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% to keep them in your library.CommonHood (Cloud, Console, and PC)Escape Academy (Cloud, Console, and PC)Exoprimal (Cloud, Console, and PC)Figment (Cloud, Console, and PC)Insurgency Sandstorm (Cloud, Console, and PC)Those Who Remain (Cloud, Console, and PC)Well be back to our usual twice monthly announcements, so keep tuned here and to Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox on social for all the updates on when coming soon turns into available today to play. Be back soon!

Govee has just unveiled their latest innovation at CES 2025: the Mini Panel Lights. These compact, customizable lights are designed to transform any space with vibrant colors and intelligent features. And the best part is, they support Matter! Heres what you need to know.Mini Panel LightsThe Govee Mini Panel Lights bring a perfect balance of style, functionality, and smart customization. Whether youre looking to upgrade your gaming space or add a splash of creativity to any room, these panels offer an exciting and vibrant way to transform your environment.Key features:Compact design: The Mini Panel Lights feature a sleek, space-saving design that fits seamlessly into any environment, from living rooms to offices and gaming setups.Vibrant RGBIC colors: Equipped with 15 lamp beads per panel and a curved transparent lampshade, these lights deliver a stunning three-dimensional effect, bringing enhanced vibrancy to your room.Easy setup with intelligent recognition: Thanks to an advanced built-in MCU chip, the Govee app automatically recognizes the layout of the assembled panels, eliminating the need for manual configuration and ensuring a seamless setup experience.Extensive customization: With push-type connections supporting up to 120 panels and over 50 lighting effects, you have the freedom to create personalized designs that reflect your unique style.AI integration & Matter compatibilityGovees Mini Panel Lights are designed with AI capabilities that learn your preferences over time, adjusting lighting effects to suit your activities and moods automatically. Additionally, with Matter compatibility, these lights integrate effortlessly with various smart home ecosystems, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, providing a unified and future-proof smart home experience.Pricing & availabilityThe Govee Mini Panel Lights are now available for purchase on and Amazon. They are priced at $99.99 for a 10-pack or $149.99 for the 20-pack, but there is a $30 coupon and a $50 coupon on amazon, respectively! Whether youre looking to enhance your gaming setup, create a cozy ambiance, or add a touch of creativity to your space, these lights offer a versatile and affordable solution. Be on the lookout for a desk setup review with these included!Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Veteran tech writer Jason Snell thinks Apples plan to address the Apple Intelligence summaries mess doesnt go far enough, and has three suggestions for the company.The post follows a series of embarrassing mistakes in attempted summaries of news stories, which have variously claimed that Luigi Mangione shot himself, announced the winner of a competition which hadnt even taken place, and reported the non-existent coming out of a tennis player The Apple Intelligence summaries messApples new feature made headlines for its own inability to parse headlines a month ago.The BBC isnt pleased with Apple Intelligences notification summary feature. The corporation says that the notification summary feature generated a false headline about Lugi Mangione, who was arrested this week as the suspected killer of the United HealthGroup CEO. The notification summary in question falsely suggested that Mangione had shot himself.Further examples followed.A news summary from Apple falsely claimed darts player Luke Littler won the PDC World Championship before he has even played in the final. The incorrect summary was written by artificial intelligence (AI) and is based on a BBC story about Littler winning the tournament semi-final on Thursday night.Within hours, another AI notification summary falsely told some BBC Sport app users that tennis great Rafael Nadal had come out as gay.Apple initially kept quiet, before later emphasizing that its a beta feature, and promising to better label AI-generated summaries.Apple Intelligence features are in beta and we are continuously making improvements with the help of user feedback. A software update in the coming weeks will further clarify when the text being displayed is summarization provided by Apple Intelligence.Snells three suggestionsSnell says Apples proposed approach doesnt go nearly far enough and the beta excuse doesnt wash.Its hard to accept its in beta as an excuse when the features have shipped in non-beta software releases that are heavily marketed to the public as selling points of Apples latest hardware [] Apples shipping a feature that frequentlyrewrites headlines to be wrong. Thats a failure, and it shouldnt be shrugged off as being the nature of OS features in the 2020s.First up, says Snell, Apple should allow developers the ability to opt-out of their apps being included in AI summaries.Second, the summaries should have different approaches depending on the context.It should probably build separate pathways for notifications of related content (a bunch of emails or chat messages in a thread) versus unrelated content (BBC headlines, podcast episode descriptions) and change how the unrelated content is summarized.Finally, to avoid the problem of Apple attempting to summarize already-summarized content, AI should base its summary on the text of the news piece, not just the headline.9to5Macs TakeThis is a good take. In particular, giving app developers an opt-out would be a win-win. It would mean that organizations like the BBC could simply say Nope, we dont want to be an unwilling participant in your beta, thanks. And because developers could do this, it would provide something close to a get out of jail free card for Apple, as it can point out that its up to developers whether or not they want to run these kind of risks.Image: 9to5Mac composite of images fromthe BBCandSteven Van ElkonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

While some parents treat their kids to an Apple Watch, the Pinwheel Watch aims to offer an interesting alternative. The $160 cellular smartwatch combines strong parental controls with a kid-friendly AI chatbot.Unlike the real thing, the Pinwheel includes a camera, with the company promising that video calling will be coming later this year Engadget says that unlike some smartwatches designed for kids, this one doesnt look like a toy.The Pinwheel Watch doesnt scream this is a kids device. The new smartwatch, unveiled at Pepcom during CES 2025, doesnt have a chunky, brightly colored casing or super-thick bezels. Its actually pretty sleek, with a build like a slightly larger Apple Watch plus a little camera bump and swappable straps of different styles. To tech-aware kids who have begun bugging their parents for a smartwatch just like they have, it would easily pass as an analogue for an adult wearable.Pinwheel says the parental controls offer a very high degree of power and flexibility.For a younger kid, they might set it so all contacts need to be approved, while a 14-year-old can be granted the freedom to add whatever friends they want without approval. Parents can remotely monitor text and call history, and turn off certain features like image sending individually for contacts.The company also claims the AI chatbot is kid-proof.[It has] a kid-friendly version of ChatGPT called PinwheelGPT. The company says the chatbot has been tested for all the common workarounds used to trick these things into doing what they shouldnt, so it wont produce inappropriate responses when prompted to. And parents can see these chats, including deleted ones.You can certainly ask it whatever, but it wont answer, said Pinwheel co-founder Dane Witbeck. It quickly backs out and says, hey, thats something you should talk to a trusted adult about.The camera, sitting at the bottom of the watch, will support two-way video calls.Theres no availability date yet beyond later this year, and in addition to the $160 purchase price it will need a custom cellular plan at around $15 per month.Images: PinwheelAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Jan 07, 2025The Hacker NewsCybersecurity / Endpoint SecurityIt's time once again to pay our respects to the once-famous cybersecurity solutions whose usefulness died in the past year. The cybercriminal world collectively mourns the loss of these solutions and the easy access they provide to victim organizations. These solutions, though celebrated in their prime, succumbed to the twin forces of time and advancing threats. Much like a tribute to celebrities lost in the past year, this article will look back at a few of cybersecurity's brightest stars that went dark in the past year. 1. Legacy Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)Cause of Death: Compromised by sophisticated phishing, man-in-the-middle (MitM), SIM-swapping, and MFA prompt bombing attacks.The superstar of access security for more than twenty years, legacy MFA solutions enjoyed broad adoption followed by almost-universal responsibility for cybersecurity failures leading to successful ransomware attacks. These outdated solutions relied heavily on SMS or email-based codes often sent in unencrypted plain text. Their vulnerability to phishing, SIM swapping, and MitM attacks grew glaringly apparent in 2024, leaving their users in a state of near-defenselessness in the face of Generative AI-based attacks. The Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency [CISA], part of the Department of Homeland Security, stated that 90% of successful phishing attacks started with phishing. Legacy MFA's inherent weakness is that it relies on users who are well-meaning but no match for modern attack techniques.Legacy MFA was fan-favorite and broadly deployed, but it is the most significant vulnerability in most organizations. Jen Easterly, the director of CISA, captured the urgency of evolving beyond outdated solutions, "make no mistake, any form of MFA is better than no MFA. But recent attacks make it clear: legacy MFA is no match for modern threats."The Role of FIDO2 and Phishing-Resistant Authentication: In place of legacy MFA, phishing-resistant, FIDO2-compliant solutions have emerged as the gold standard for authentication, driving the industry toward a passwordless future. By leveraging public key cryptography, FIDO2 eliminates shared secrets like passwords, making phishing and replay attacks nearly impossible. Its reliance on hardware security keys and biometrics provides unparalleled security while maintaining simplicity for end users. Biometric authentication greatly enhances security by ensuring that only authorized users can gain network access. It also improves the user experience by removing the need to remember and enter passwords and OTPs. Stop phishing and ransomware with Next-Generation MFA. Download the ebook: 'The CISO's Guide to Stopping Ransomware and Credential-Based Attacks with Phishing-Resistant MFA' and learn how to secure your organization today. 2. Signature-Based AntivirusCause of Death: Overwhelmed by polymorphic malware and fileless attacks.The faithful companion of early internet users, signature-based antivirus software, finally bowed out in 2024. Its reliance on known malware signatures proved inadequate against today's threats, which mutate faster than databases can be updated. Polymorphic malware, fileless attacks, and AI-driven threats exploited its inability to adapt dynamically.Replacing it are advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) platforms that harness machine learning to detect unusual behavior. Signature-based antivirus didn't just lose its battle against attackers; it lost relevance in a world demanding predictive security.A Look at What's Next: Modern EDR and XDR platforms combine heuristic analysis, AI-driven insights, and real-time monitoring. These systems not only detect and block threats but also offer predictive capabilities to anticipate and neutralize potential attacks before they manifest, setting a new standard for endpoint security. Unlike their signature-based predecessors, EDR and XDR platforms rely on behavioral analysis to identify unusual activity, such as lateral movement within a network or abnormal file execution patterns. These platforms utilize AI and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data and adapt to the changing threat landscape. These solutions also integrate seamlessly with other tools, including threat intelligence feeds and incident response platforms. They offer a unified view of an organization's security posture by correlating data across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. 3. Legacy VPNsCause of Death: Replaced by zero-trust network access (ZTNA).The venerable VPN, once a cornerstone of secure remote access, saw its relevance take its last breaths in 2024. Performance bottlenecks and vulnerabilities to lateral movement attacks made them unacceptable for the modern era of cybersecurity.ZTNA solutions, with their ability to enforce granular, identity-based access policies, are now the better alternative. The shift marked the end of trusting once and accessing all, a concept that outlived its usefulness in the face of persistent threats.Zero Trust Takes Center Stage: ZTNA restricts access and continuously verifies users and devices, ensuring that access is both context-aware and dynamically adjusted. This approach matches the needs of a hybrid workforce and a cloud-centric world, making it the ideal solution for secure connectivity.Replacing legacy VPNs are solutions that integrate identity-based security models and dynamic access protocols. Advanced ZTNA systems leverage machine learning to measure user behavior, detect anomalies, and implement adaptive security policies in real-time. Modern tools such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combine ZTNA with other essential services like cloud security and network optimization, offering a comprehensive solution that outpaces the limitations of traditional VPNs. 4. Standalone Password ManagersCause of Death: Erosion of trust and ecosystem integration.Password managers, once praised for simplifying credential storage, found themselves in need of saying a final goodbye in 2024. High-profile breaches eroded trust and standalone solutions simply couldn't compete with integrated identity management systems.Digital identity solutions offering seamless passwordless authentication and robust lifecycle management overshadowed standalone offerings, marking the end of an era for password managers.The Rise of Phishing-Resistant Passwordless Solutions The future of authentication lies in passwordless solutions that prioritize security without sacrificing user convenience. These solutions leverage FIDO2 compliance, biometric authentication, and hardware security keys to eliminate passwords, making phishing attacks and credential theft nearly impossible.By adopting public key cryptography, FIDO2, biometrics, and hardware-based authentication, user credentials remain secure and never leave the user's device. These methods are resistant to phishing, replay attacks, and social engineering, addressing the most common vulnerabilities of legacy password-based systems.Additionally, passwordless solutions integrate seamlessly with identity and access management (IAM) systems, creating a unified approach to authentication, lifecycle management, and compliance monitoring. Password managers, while revolutionary in their time, were surpassed by the next generation of MFA.Lessons from the DepartedThe technologies we lost in 2024 remind us of the relentless need to adapt to cyberattacks. The loss of these former celebrities of cybersecurity underscores critical lessons for the industry:Adapt or Perish: Technologies that failed to evolve with the threat landscape were left behind while exposing their users to severe losses.Next-Generation MFA Takes Center Stage: The death of legacy MFA signaled the rise of NGMFA solutions. These solutions deliver adaptive, context-aware security, and integrate biometrics, hardware security keys, and passwordless technologies to provide unparalleled user convenience and resilience against evolving threats.Integration Over Isolation: Standalone tools come up short compared to integrated platforms offering integrated solutions. Phishing-Resistant Next-Gen MFA exemplifies this evolution by combining authentication with broader identity and access management solutions, creating an integrated approach to securing organizations.As we say goodbye to these once-cherished tools, we honor their contributions and embrace the technologies that have risen to replace them. The cybersecurity world doesn't stand still, and neither can we. In this relentless march forward, the only constant is change.In Memoriam, 2024.Learn how Token's Next-Generation MFA replaces outdated solutions to stop phishing and ransomware attacksvisit tokenring.comFound this article interesting? 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What have we learned about maintaining IT infrastructure and cybersecurity one generation after putting in the work to correct the Y2K bug?

Lisa Morgan, Freelance WriterJanuary 7, 20259 Min ReadValerii Egorov via Alamy StockAgentic artificial intelligence is expected to have a major impact because it can execute complex tasks autonomously. For now, the hype is outstripping successful implementations, and there are a lot of reasons for that.In 2024, AI agents have become a marketing buzzword for many vendors. However, for user organizations, agents have been an area of early curiosity and experimentation, with actual implementations being far and few, says Leslie Joseph, principal analyst at Forrester. We expect this to change in 2025 as the technology and the ecosystem mature. However, our prediction offers a cautionary note.Joseph says organizations attempting to build AI agents are failing for three main reasons: a poorly scoped vision for agentic workflows, a poor technical solution, and a lack of focus on change management.A poorly scoped vision for agentic workflows results in either a too broad or narrow bounding box for agent functionality, says Joseph. Too narrow a scope may render the problem as solvable by a deterministic workflow, while too broad a problem might introduce too much variability. Agent builders should ask themselves how best to define the business problem they are trying to solve, and where an AI agent fits into this scope.Related:Second, its early days. Agents are still very early-stage applications, and the ecosystem, including agentic tooling, is less evolved than one might expect.While many vendors message around the ease-of-use and drag-drop nature of their agent builder platforms, the fact is that there is still a lot of engineering needed under the hood to deliver a robust enterprise solution, which requires strong technical skills, says Joseph.Finally, a lack of focus on change management isnt helping. Organizations need to understand how the agentic workflow fits into or enhances existing processes and being proactive about managing change. The invention of LLMs was like the discovery of the brick, says Joseph. With agents, we are now figuring out how to put these bricks together to construct homes and cities and skyscrapers. Every enterprise will need to identify what their desired level of autonomy is, and how to build towards that using AI agents. Leslie Joseph, ForresterHe expects the short-term benefits to be process improvement and productivity, but over the longer term, enterprises should be ready for agents to create disruptions across the tech stack. For now, companies should embrace AI agents and agentic workflows, given its disruptive potential.Related:Start investing in experiments and allocating budgets towards proofs-of-concept. Ensure that your teams learn along the way rather than outsourcing everything to an ISV or tech vendor, because these learnings will be crucial down the road, says Joseph.Multi-Agent Workflows Are ChallengingWhen establishing a multi-agent workflow, there are three primary challenges businesses face, according to Murali Swaminathan, CTO at software company Freshworks. First, its incredibly difficult to make workflows predictable in a world that is unstructured and conversational. Second, even complex reasoning in workflows can be prescriptive and hard to achieve reliably. Third, continuous evaluation of these workflows is necessary to measure, and ultimately realize efficacy.[E]nterprises must establish clear approaches on what workflows or problems they want the agentic systems to solve, says Swaminathan. Additionally, its critical that they develop a clear plan on how they will gauge success. This approach will ensure that expectations are measured, and that a strategy of progress over perfection is employed.Over the short term, enterprises will most likely achieve task-based goals related to the employee and agent. Over the long term, business benefits should follow, along with insights about what the business should and should not do.Related:[C]reate a clear game plan on how to implement, utilize, and measure the success of agentic architectures, says Swaminathan. Failing to plan is planning to fail."Insufficient Infrastructure and Data GovernanceWhen it comes to agentic architectures, infrastructure and data governance matter greatly."Without the right infrastructure and data governance in place, agentic architectures struggle to handle the complexity, scale, and interoperability needed for successful implementation, says Doug Gilbert, CIO and chief digital officer at experience-driven digital transformation partner Sutherland Global. Companies should focus on building a strong digital core that can handle the high demands of AI, from data processing to seamless integration with hybrid or multi-cloud environments. This not only allows organizations to scale AI capabilities efficiently but also ensures the flexibility to adapt as systems evolve.Equally important is a well-defined data strategy. Whether leveraging a hybrid, private, or multi-cloud approach, secure and accessible data is essential for building robust AI solutions, ensuring compliance and security across the board.Interconnectivity MattersInteracting with other systems designed for humans is much harder for agentic AI to do than it seems.Making RPA [Robotic Process Automation] nearly 100% reliable took 12-plus years. And thats carefully hard coded to interact with human operated systems across the web and Windows. So, we see these people suggesting that they can get an LLM to do the same and it turns out [to be] quite unreliable, says Kevin Surace, chairman andCTO at autonomous testing platform Appvance. People will be disappointed when the agent thinks it did everything right, but you later find that payment never went out.Despite the fact humans dont get everything right, people expect agentic AI outcomes to be 100% accurate. As an accuracy benchmark, Surace suggests setting the accuracy goal as high as RPA or well-trained humans.Anyone can demo a simple action a few times, says Surace. But doing complex tasks with variability a thousand times without failure -- then you have a product people want.Orchestration Can Be TrickyOrchestration involves end-to-end harmonization of outputs from multiple agents, delivering a unified and comprehensive resolution to the users query.A key of the agentic AI architecture is its capability to organize agents logically by functional domains such as IT, HR, engineering, and more. This structured approach empowers enterprises to deploy specialized agents tailored to the unique requirements of each department, says Abhi Maheshwari, CEO of agentic AI provider Aisera. By categorizing agents based on their functional areas, organizations can optimize workflows, improve task precision, and ensure that each agent operates within its area of expertise for maximum effectiveness.Otherwise, it may be tempting to over-rely on generic models when domain-specific expertise is necessary for handling complex tasks.Enterprises should adopt a structured approach to agentic architectures by starting with logical domain separation to address specific departmental needs, says Maheshwari. Then there needs to be integration with existing systems. If not, there is not much value with agentic AI. After all, this technology is about automated processes and tasks.Tom Taulli, author of Building Generative AI Agents: Using LangChain, LangGraph, and AutoGen,says that agents struggle to handle novel situations or inputs outside their training data.Tom Taulli, AuthorFailures can also arise from misaligned goals or insufficient oversight, says Taulli. Overly autonomous systems without proper guardrails might make decisions that conflict with user intentions, ethical standards or operational objectives.Ultimately, enterprises need highly qualified data scientists because agentic AI is complicated, and the field is constantly evolving.In the short term, Taulli expects agentic AI to replace RPA since both automate tedious and repetitive processes. However, RPA is highly constrained, which means if a process changes materially, then the bot can break.[Agentic AI] should be able to adapt and evolve, without a lot of human intervention and programming or scripting. This makes the automations more maintainable and scalable. In the long-term, I think AI agents could start replacing a large part of what some employees do. This is more about the world when AGI starts to emerge. That is, a super intelligent system will be able to act like a human and have its own agency.Governance Is KeyData quality and quantity are crucial for training agentic AI models, though biases in the data can lead to biased and unfair outcomes while ethical considerations and regulatory challenges surrounding AI development and deployment can hinder progress and lead to unintended consequences.It's essential to establish robust governance frameworks to ensure ethical AI development and deployment, says Matthew Hawkins, chief technology officer at healthcare AI solution provider CaryHealth. Additionally, collaboration with domain experts is crucial to align AI solutions with real-world needs.Monitoring Is Non-OptionalThe only way to tell if an AI model is working properly is to monitor it continuously. Otherwise, companies run the risk of using models that have drifted, for example.When we look at AI agents as a system, the lack of human supervision can create devastating failure cascades throughout the entire network of agent, says Daniel Clydesdale-Cotter, CIO at technology services provider EchoStor. Domain-specific LLMs won't be good enough to replicate business process workflows without individual agents being thoroughly tested and optimized to remove hallucination behavior. The black box nature of LLMs adds another layer of complexity, as audit and compliance of operations within each agent can be very difficult to provide.Organizations must focus on training and culture change to promote responsible use of generative AI for baseline processes.Its crucial to experiment, use, and test with existing workflows before integrating agents, always maintaining human oversight, says Clydesdale-Cotter. Organizations must also monitor their AI environment closely, aware of outputs and behavior within the system. Success depends on aligning data, goals and objectives with the usage patterns of the environment.Success starts with human oversight and a defined MLOps plan, he says. Organizations should partner with companies that are building agents specifically for their domain requirements. However, they must also pay thorough attention to workflows to determine application and software integration viability.Enterprises should approach AI with a best-fit mindset, understanding that not all processes must be AI-augmented or automated, says Clydesdale-Cotter. Being use-case specific helps avoid scope creep and maintains focus on the features youre trying to extract. Well see continued process improvement through human oversight of macro interactions between AI agents and unsupervised optimizations of micro-processes within AI agents themselves.Many Organizations Just Arent ReadyAI has become a strategic priority in many organizations, but business leaders arent sure where to apply AI to solve day-to-day business problems and implement use cases at enterprise scale.Under the hood, the challenge is that, even though business objectives, activities and metrics are deeply interwoven, the software systems used by disparate teams are not, and this creates problems, says Babak Hodjat, CTO of AI at multinational information technology services and consulting company Cognizant Technology Solutions. This is a big reason why weve seen most AI use cases to date limited to prediction-based outcomes or single LLM chat-based solutions."Organizing overall technology and AI strategies around the core tenet of multi-agent systems and decision-making will best enable enterprises to succeed, he says.LLMs are very good at specialized tasks, but embracing multi-agent architectures is what will truly reshape industries, as agents gain the ability to communicate with each other, says Hodjat The future will be about companies having agents in their devices and applications that can address needs and interact with other agents. These agents will work across entire businesses to assist humans in every role, from HR and finance to marketing and sales.About the AuthorLisa MorganFreelance WriterLisa Morgan is a freelance writer who covers business and IT strategy and emergingtechnology for InformationWeek. She has contributed articles, reports, and other types of content to many technology, business, and mainstream publications and sites including tech pubs, The Washington Post and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Frequent areas of coverage include AI, analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, mobility, software development, and emerging cultural issues affecting the C-suite.See more from Lisa MorganNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Time zones: EST (UTC -5), CST (UTC -6), MST (UTC -7), AST (UTC -4)The RoleWere looking for a Technical Customer Support Specialist to join our team! In this role, youll be the first point of contact for our customers, helping them via chat and email (no phone calls). Youll assist with inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and ensure a smooth customer experience.The position is fully remote.What Were Looking ForFluency in English is mandatory: English is our primary working language, so strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.Second language required: Fluency in another language is required.Technical knowledge: You dont need to be a developer, but a solid understanding of tech concepts (e.g., HTML/CSS) is required. This isnt a learn on the job role, come prepared!Team spirit: Empathy, kindness, understanding, active listening, and a collaborative mindset are essential. Youll fit right in if you value teamwork and fostering a positive work environment.Experience: Familiarity with customer support software is a plus, but not mandatory.What Makes Crisp Special?Everyone does support: even our developers contribute to customer support, keeping everyone connected to our users needs.No meetings: Say goodbye to unnecessary meetings and focus on meaningful work.No personal KPIs: We trust you to do great work without micromanagement or performance pressure.Who Can Apply?Must be located within the UTC-4 or UTC-5, or UTC-6, or UTC-7 timezones.Immediate availability is a plus.The position will be under a full time freelance service contract. Youll need to have an independent contractor status in your country and be able to issue invoicesCompensation & PerksThe compensation range for this role is around 30k$ per year, depending on the profileJoin a diverse and inclusive remote-first team that values work-life balance and flexibility.

Job SummaryWe are looking for a senior mobile engineer with a proven track record of developing React Native mobile applications. As we are a small but growing team, you will be responsible for the maintenance and support of existing app features as well as planning and scoping new feature additions and iterations.You will be working closely with our team to maintain, improve, and extend a meditation and lifestyle application. Applicants should have a proven track record working on large scale, consumer-facing products with complex and intuitive UX/UI. Applicants should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, where each individual has a lot of influence and responsibility to deliver. You will play a vital role in the future success of this application, and of our wider organisation.The app is in the market in many countries around the world, and has a monthly active user base of tens of thousands of users.The AWS backend is built using a serverless approach using AppSync (GraphQL), DynamoDB, Cognito and Lambda. Local development and stack deployment is managed using the Serverless framework, and CI pipelines have been implemented using CircleCI and Bitrise. Experience with any of these is a big plus.About YouYou are passionate about creating beautiful, modern, and intuitive user interfaces on mobile devices. You are comfortable with cross platform development (for iOS and Android), and enjoy solving the challenges that come with such a codebase. You understand API architecture, and can take a data model and translate it into reusable and flexible components. You enjoy shipping clean, readable and reusable code. You are comfortable working on a distributed team spread across time zones and cultures. You are excited to use technology to have a positive impact in the world as a whole, and in an intimate way for each individual.ResponsibilitiesTake responsibility for front-end development and maintenance, and work with our team to continue testing and releasing featuresEnsure the performance, quality, and responsiveness of the applicationCollaborate with the engineering, product, and design teams, contribute to the definition of specifications for new features, and own the development of those featuresGuide the team regarding constraints and best practices in a mobile environmentProactively identify and solve bottlenecks; fix bugs and performance issuesMaintain code quality, organization and automatizationEnsure testing strategy is followed within the team - for unit and integration tests, and automated testingSkills and Qualifications8 years of testing and deploying code in a production environmentProven experience in mobile native app development (Objective-C, Swift, Kotlin, Java)Strong experience with React and React NativeExperience with Typescript, Node.js, GraphQL and RESTProficient with code versioning tools (Git)Basic understanding of using CI to deploy apps (we use Bitrise)Attention to detail to implement and bring designs to life using animations (we use Animated and Reanimated in some places)Understanding of React Native limitations in native mobile environmentsUnderstanding of code signing for iOS and Android (we use Fastlane)Good understanding of best practices for mobile apps, like Material Design and Human Interface GuidelinesExperience working in a global non-profit, working with a remote team and / or in a multinational organization preferredFluency in English (written and verbal)If you are passionate about this work but do not have all of the skills listed we are still interested in speaking with you and encourage you to apply!Pay and benefitsOur pay levels are set according to a formula that combines above-median market rate data for the role (we pay 55th percentile of New York market rate for this role, based on Payscale data) adjusted for your local cost of living based on Numbeo data.We take the issue of equitable pay very seriously, and we apply our pay formula to all workers who work 80% or more of full time hours with us.Diversity and inclusionWe care about diversity - we strive to ensure all of our team feel included and can bring their whole selves to work but we also know that this work is never done or complete, and that we can always improve.Our team is fully remote, living and working across 20 countries across the world, and wed love to hear how you can add to our special culture at MFI. Related Jobs See more Front-End Programming jobs