This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here.In December, our small but mighty AI reporting team was asked by our editors to make a prediction: Whats coming next for AI?In 2024, AI contributed both to Nobel Prizewinning chemistry breakthroughs and a mountain of cheaply made content that few people asked for but that nonetheless flooded the internet. Take AI-generated Shrimp Jesus images, among other examples. There was also a spike in greenhouse-gas emissions last year that can be attributed partly to the surge in energy-intensive AI. Our team got to thinking about how all of this will shake out in the year to come.As we look ahead, certain things are a given. We know that agentsAI models that do more than just converse with you and can actually go off and complete tasks for youare the focus of many AI companies right now. Building them will raise lots of privacy questions about how much of our data and preferences were willing to give up in exchange for tools that will (allegedly) save us time. Similarly, the need to make AI faster and more energy efficient is putting so-called small language models in the spotlight.We instead wanted to focus on less obvious predictions. Mine were about how AI companies that previously shunned work in defense and national security might be tempted this year by contracts from the Pentagon, and how Donald Trumps attitudes toward China could escalate the global race for the best semiconductors. Read the full list.Whats not evident in that story is that the other predictions were not so clear-cut. Arguments ensued about whether or not 2025 will be the year of intimate relationships with chatbots, AI throuples, or traumatic AI breakups. To witness the fallout from our teams lively debates (and hear more about what didnt make the list), you can join our upcoming LinkedIn Live this Thursday, January 16. Ill be talking it all over with Will Douglas Heaven, our senior editor for AI, and our news editor, Charlotte Jee.There are a couple other things Ill be watching closely in 2025. One is how little the major AI playersnamely OpenAI, Microsoft, and Googleare disclosing about the environmental burden of their models. Lots of evidence suggests that asking an AI model like ChatGPT about knowable facts, like the capital of Mexico, consumes much more energy (and releases far more emissions) than simply asking a search engine. Nonetheless, OpenAIs Sam Altman in recent interviews has spoken positively about the idea of ChatGPT replacing the googling that weve all learned to do in the past two decades. Its already happening, in fact.The environmental cost of all this will be top of mind for me in 2025, as will the possible cultural cost. We will go from searching for information by clicking links and (hopefully) evaluating sources to simply reading the responses that AI search engines serve up for us. As our editor in chief, Mat Honan, said in his piece on the subject, Who wants to have to learn when you can just know?Now read the rest of The AlgorithmDeeper LearningWhats next for our privacy?The US Federal Trade Commission has taken a number of enforcement actions against data brokers, some of which have tracked and sold geolocation data from users at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals, and military installations without explicit consent. Though limited in nature, these actions may offer some new and improved protections for Americans personal information.Why it matters: A consensus is growing that Americans need better privacy protectionsand that the best way to deliver them would be for Congress to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation. Unfortunately, thats not going to happen anytime soon. Enforcement actions from agencies like the FTC might be the next best thing in the meantime. Read more in Eileen Guos excellent story here.Bits and BytesMeta trained its AI on a notorious piracy databaseNew court records, Wired reports, reveal that Meta used a notorious so-called shadow library of pirated books that originated in Russia to train its generative AI models. (Wired)OpenAIs top reasoning model struggles with the NYT Connections gameThe game requires players to identify how groups of words are related. OpenAIs o1 reasoning model had a hard time. (Mind Matters)Anthropics chief scientist on 5 ways agents will be even better in 2025The AI company Anthropic is now worth $60 billion. The companys cofounder and chief scientist, Jared Kaplan, shared how AI agents will develop in the coming year. (MIT Technology Review)A New York legislator attempts to regulate AI with a new billThis year, a high-profile bill in California to regulate the AI industry was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Now, a legislator in New York is trying to revive the effort in his own state. (MIT Technology Review)

As Apple tries to diversify its supply chain, China's tightened export controls are slowing things down as the country asserts its manufacturing dominance.FoxconnFor years, Apple relied heavily on China's manufacturing ecosystem. But rising labor costs, trade tensions, and pandemic disruptions are forcing the company to rethink its strategy.In response, Apple has started moving production to India and Vietnam, countries that offer lower costs, friendly trade policies, and proximity to emerging markets. India is now a growing hub for iPhone assembly, with Apple leveraging the country's massive workforce and government incentives. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Hiroshi Hara, an important Japanese architect and educator who influenced the countrys design syndicate through highly elaborate buildings and theoretical contributions to academia, has died in Japan at the age of 88 according to local outlets.He will be remembered for the remarkable Umeda Sky Building, Sapporo Dome, and Kyoto Station, which count among the best-known contributions in his native country. In 2005, he expanded abroad to inaugurate the Casa Experimentada in Argentina. Among other things, his work embodied postmodernisms yearning to reify what he called "homogeneous space," tells the scholar Mikio Wakabayashi.The Umeda Sky Building in Osaka, Image: Kakidai/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Archinector Will Galloway commented: "If you go to Kyoto you will experience his architecture in the Kyoto train station, one of the most amazing buildings in Japan from the 1990s. He was also the teacher of Kengo Kuma and Riken Yamamoto at the University of Tokyo and had a very la...

Calling all architects, landscape architects and interior designers: Architizer's A+Awards allows firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of Worlds Best Architecture Firm. Start an A+Firm Award Application today.Since its inception, Morphosis has been an interdisciplinary practice that combines design and research, producing innovative buildings and urban environments. The firms projects vary in typology from residential, institutional and civic buildings to large urban planning projects responding simultaneously to social, cultural, political and technological urgencies. In 2001, Morphosis launched the NOW Institute, an urban research division within the firm, whose work is dedicated to understanding and improving urban settings worldwide. Throughout the years, the NOW Institute has partnered with local and national governments, universities, social and cultural institutions and industry partners, undertaking key projects that develop impactful strategies for cities.The word NOW, present in both the institutes name as well as in many of its research publications, underlines the urgency behind the divisions practice. Recording, drawing and acting on contemporary urban scenarios, suggest speculative albeit applicable proposals, based on existing sets of data and even historical overviews, establishing synergy between academic research and professional practice.L.A. NOW, 2001-2005 View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Now Institute (@thenowinstitute)L.A. NOW 1 is one of the Institutes earliest research projects. It is an urban cultural almanac of Los Angeles that investigates proposals for housing and urban revitalization. The first volume includes an array of texts, data, graphic design and photography, constructing a snapshot of L.A. in the early 21st century. It exposes the citys notable heterogeneity and fragmentation and explores narratives between Los Angeles, habitat, people and money.Volumes 2, 3 & 4 expand on the proposals and speculations within the series, addressing downtown Los Angeles and its future development, underutilized urban sites in the city core and their transformation into alternative schools and urban housing as well as the historically charged Chavez Ravine site. More specifically, the proposition for the relocation of Dodger Stadium to downtown and the infusion of a 30,000 resident community on the site integrates and expands Elysian Parks potential.Madrid NOW, 2006-2007 View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Now Institute (@thenowinstitute)The Now Institute acted as a consultant and advisor to the City of Madrid during the years 2006-2007, exploring the possibilities of a Spanish new town model. In an attempt to improve Madrids housing PAU (Programa de Actuacin Urbanstica) or Programs of City-planning Performance, the Institute developed extensive research for five prototype communities, providing opportunities for diversity and the rejuvenation of local identity for future residents.The critique towards the PAU system was that the current strategy is indifferent to the local context, it limits future integration with future commercial, civic and cultural programs due to its rigid morphology and negates any potential for high rise developments. In response the project investigated three sites (recommended by the city) that presented particular challenges which drove the design strategy, leading to the creation of a transportation hub, an off-grid urban farm community and finally, an alternative high-density residential lifestyle.Haiti NOW, 2011-2013 View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Now Institute (@thenowinstitute)Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Haiti NOW project looks into the question of what is the difference between relief, recovery and planning? The project looks into the three, urging the planers to construct a sustainable vision of the regions futures. Relief is reaction immediate, urgent and lifesaving recovery is a strategy that resurrects local systems, planning, however, is prevention a long-term vision for development.Accurately stated, long-term planning seems distant and often operates on assumptions. Consequently, contacting local partners and inquiring about their own future vision for the region offers local knowledge and leadership which is critical for constructing a disaster-resistant city. Haiti becomes a deep case study for developing strategies and processes that stop the reconstruction-post-disaster cycle and rather prove that disaster-resistance urban design has the best potential for dealing with such crises.South Sea Pearl Eco-Island, 2016 View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Now Institute (@thenowinstitute)Contrary to the previous research projects, the South Sea Pearl Studio begins with a speculative investigation on self-sustaining urbanism that integrates culture, nature and business in an attempt to investigate intelligent ecology. Delving once more into past histories and looking at small, often isolated city-states, the research began by understanding these communities as micro engines of cultural, agricultural and social sustainability.Addressing the scenario where China constructs a 290 hectare island as a laboratory and demonstration project of urban sustainability in Hainan, the studio develops five different approaches: floating landscape, Archipelago, Infrastructure Urbanism, Extreme man-made urban environment, and the pods, to test possibilities and the potential of future artificial island-making.What is perhaps the most valuable asset of the Institutes work is the way the research is developed through rigorous recording and cataloguing, each time pulled from very tangible and contemporary scenarios. Many research practices offer astounding speculative proposals, based on thorough exploration and inquiry, often however being somewhat detached from worldwide urgencies. The NOW Institute stands out by bridging the gap between speculative proposals and actionable strategies that directly address current global challenges. By grounding its research in real-world data and contexts, the Institute ensures that its findings and proposals remain relevant and applicable.Calling all architects, landscape architects and interior designers: Architizer's A+Awards allows firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of Worlds Best Architecture Firm. Start an A+Firm Award Application today.Featured Image: Orange County Museum of Art by Morphosis Architects, Costa Mesa, CaliforniaThe post NOW and Next: Morphosis Urban Research Division Tackles Today and Tomorrows Challenges appeared first on Journal.

The next iteration of 2Ks PGA Tour series, PGA Tour 2K25, will launch on February 28th. Developed by HB Studios, the golfing sim will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out the latest trailer below.The sequel features 11 pro players at launch, from Tiger Woods and Tom Kim to Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson. It also offers new shot types and EvoSwing mechanics to go with the improvements to visuals, roll physics, and ball flight. There are 29 licensed courses to play on, but the Course Designer also returns, allowing players to create their own levels with various new features.MyPlayer also returns with new Attribute Points and Equipment Progression systems to go with improved Skill Trees. Meanwhile, MyCareer promises the most immersive and customizable experience yet, with major tournaments playable for the first time.Stay tuned for more details on PGA Tour 2K25 before its launch. Check out our reviews for PGA Tour 2K23 and EA Sports PGA Tour in the meantime.

Photo credit: Laurentian UniversityCanadian-American architectural and urban designerShannon Bassett passed away peacefully with family members by her side at the General Hospital in Ottawa on December 26, 2024, at the age of 52.Bassett was a tenured professor of architecture at McEwen School of Architecture, Laurentian University, in Sudbury. Her research, teaching, writing and practice operated at the intersections of architecture, urban design and landscape ecology.Bassetts writing on Chinas explosive urbanization and changing landscape, as well as shrinking cities and the post-industrial landscape in North America, have been published in Topos, Urban Flux, Landscape Architecture Frontiers Magazine, and Canadian Architect.Her design work and research has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture in 2012. Her architectural and urban design practice included designing an urban masterplan for the Village of the Arts in Bradenton, Florida, as well as a series of speculative design studies for the City of Tampa Riverwalk. Prior to arriving at Laurentian, Bassett had taught at the University at Buffalo, the University of South Florida, and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Shehas lectured in countries including China, India, South Korea, and the US.She has run design research studios in China, and for many years served as an invited professor each summer in Busan, South Korea.A consummate collaborator, until her passing Bassett was actively collaborating with the Delhi School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) on the conservation and urban redevelopment of the old walled city of Delhi. She was also collaborating with colleagues at Toronto Metropolitan University on a symposium examining the state of women in Canadian architecture, a topic she also advanced as a co-founder and advisory member for the organization Building Equality in Architecture North. At Laurentian University, Indigeneity became a vital part of Bassetts teaching and spirituality. It is with heavy hearts we reflect on the passing of our colleague Shannon Bassett, writes Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture director Tammy Gaber. Shannon joined the McEwen School of Architecture as a faculty member in 2018, having studied architecture at Carleton (B.Arch) and urban design at Harvard University (MAUD). While at MSoA, Shannon enthusiastically taught a range of courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs and supervised M.Arch thesis students.Beyond the classroom, Shannon actively mentored students in several international design competitions and was one of the co-founders of the Building Equality in Architecture NorthBEA(N) group, which continues to have a growing membership, adds Gaber.She will be deeply missed by our community.Shannon Bassett was a critical member of the Building Equality in Architecture (BEA) collective, which aims to promote and support gender equity in architecture across Canada, write Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT) Executive Chair Jennifer Esposito and Advisory Chair Heather Dubbeldam. Co-founding BEA North in 2020, she played a key role in supporting the growth of BEA from a Toronto-based grassroots group to one with a national presence. Shannon was an advocate for gender equity and diversity in the profession, particularly in northern communities. She was also a committed educator, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with the next generation of architects through her roles in academia. Kind, generous, and courageous in her beliefs, Shannons contributions to education, research, and advocacy will leave a lasting impact.The family has requested donations to theBrain Tumour Foundation of Canada.The post In Memoriam: Shannon Bassett appeared first on Canadian Architect.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Adobe has unveiled a new Live Co-Editing feature in Photoshop, its image-editing and digital painting software, widely used in CG for concept art, illustration and retouching.The functionality, which makes it possible for multiple users to edit the same Photoshop document simultaneously, is currently available in private beta.Opening up new collaborative workflows for education and design reviewsUnlike Photoshops existing collaboration tools, Live Co-Editing enables multiple users to access and edit the same Photoshop document simultaneously.As well as enabling artists to collaborate on complex projects in real time, suggested use cases relevant to CG Channel readers include design reviews.Artists can invite supervisors and clients to access a file for example, a concept image or illustration and have them add comments or make edits to the document.Educators will also be able to teach techniques directly in Photoshop, with students able to follow along on the same document.Currently available in invite-only private betaLive Co-Editing is available in both the desktop version of Photoshop and the web app.However, unlike standard beta features, which are available to subscribers via Adobes Creative Cloud desktop app, its currently in invite-only private beta.To apply to join the beta program, you need to fill out a short online survey.Price, system requirements and release dateLive Co-Editing is currently in private beta. Adobe hasnt announced a final release date yet.You can find details of system requirements and pricing in this story on Photoshop 26.2, the current release.Read more about Live Co-op Editing in Photoshop on Adobes blogHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.

Find out how Yellow Brick Games leverages Chaos, Nanite, Lumen, and a host of other UE5 features to bring magical mechanics and interactive environments to its upcoming third-person action adventure game Eternal Strands.

PC makers are betting everything on the AI bandwagon. At the CES 2025 tech trade show in Las Vegas last week, AI technology was everywhere.Read More

Palestinian developer Rasheed Abueideh has raised (just over) $240,000 to begin production on Dreams on a Pillow, a video game about the 1948 Nakba.The project raised precisely $240,502 through crowdfunding platform LaunchGood, surpassing its target of $194,800 after receiving backing from over 3,300 people.The title will take the form a "pseudo-3D stealth adventure" inspired by a Palestinian folk tale set during the Nakba. The United Nations explains Nakba means "catastrophe" in Arabic and refers to the "mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war."In a post on Bluesky, Abueideh thanked backers for their support and explained production on the game will commence imminently.Abueideh said he hopes to "make history" in the game industry by bringing Dreams on a Pillow to market after initially struggling to secure funding via more traditional means.As noted on the project page, Abueideh previously worked on a title called Liyla & The Shadows of War that sought to shine a light on the "harsh realities of living under invasion, apartheid, and occupation" in Gaza.However he says he was met with setback after setback with both publishers and platform holders reportedly rejecting the title and even banning it in some instances.Despite those challenges, he successfully launched Liyla but has struggled to make a living in the game industry ever since. Abueideh says publishers and investors feel supporting a Palestinian is "too risky" or "controversial," but is determined to find a way to turn Dreams on a Pillow into a reality."Dreams on a Pillow holds the ambition and dreams of a Palestinian who was denied the right to make games like the rest of the world could, but persists regardless. It cannot be made with traditional games funding, because such funding cannot be accessed by a Palestinian," reads the project page."It cannot be made with traditional crowdfunding, because most popular crowdfunding platforms do not recognize Palestine. To tell this story, to fulfil this impossible dream, to bring together a team of veteran game developers and incredible local creators."Abueideh estimates he will need roughly $495,000 to realize his vision for Dreams on a Pillow. The cash raised through LaunchGood will be used to move into a production state and create "a few core levels" while plotting out and prototyping the entire experience."This will ensure the mechanics and narrative work together to tell this powerful and sensitive story. Prototypes and 'vertical slices' will have ensured all pipelines have been tested, all required talent is on-board, and few (if any) risks remain to the production process," adds an explainer."At that point, Rasheed and his team will endeavour to raise additional funding with a far more advanced version of the game in handa much more viable prospect."You can learn more about Dreams on a Pillow on LaunchGood.