AI or Not, an AI fraud detection platform, has raised $5 million in a seed funding round to accelerate its use of "AI to detect AI" in images.Read More

Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche reportedly leaves BioWareBusche worked at EA for almost two decades, joining the developer in 2006 News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Jan. 17, 2025 Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche has reportedly left Bioware.According to our sister site Eurogamer, Busche recently departed from the studio. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Electronic Arts for further clarification as to the specific date.Busche has worked at EA for 18 years, joining in 2006 as a designer before moving on to senior design roles including creative director and design director.She became game director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in February 2022, overseeing development with the game's creative director John Epler.Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise, which launched last October.The copy has been amended to reflect that Busche has reportedly already left her position at BioWare, rather than "in the coming weeks."

How do you follow a console that has sold over 146 million units worldwide? That's the conundrum Nintendo is attempting to untangle with the Switch 2.The Switch has become the best-selling Nintendo home console of all time by some margin, eclipsing the 101 million lifetime sales of the Nintendo Wii with apparent ease.If it can top the 154 million sales mustered by the Nintendo DS, it will cement its place as the best-selling Nintendo console in history. That would represent an enormous achievement for the Japanese companyand you have to wonder if it would ever be surpassed.Yet, irrespective of whether the Switch eventually takes that crown, the hybrid device will forever be known as the console that proved Nintendo still had the juice. Its predecessor, the Wii U, sold just 13.56 million units across its lifetime.It was a measly return in the aftermath of the Wii's meteoric ascent and raised questions as to whether Nintendo had shot itself in the foot by failing to effectively differentiate the Wii U from the Wii in the mind of consumers.For better or worse, Nintendo isn't making that mistake this time around.In its fleeting reveal trailer, Nintendo slapped a colossal '2' next to the Switch logo and showed the original console transform into something familiar yet different.Like a serpent shedding its skin, the Switch 2 is a more refined version of its forebear. A distinctly 'new' offering that still feels immediately recognisable. New buttons, more curves, additional ports, and reworked Joy-Cons that some viewers believe hide a spark of creativity are the immediate differentiators, but those additions represent iteration rather than revolution.It's definitely another SwitchNintendo has previous in that regard. The company often produces revamped versions of existing tech. The Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Wii Mini all spring to mind. Where the Switch 2 differs is in how it will mark the beginning of a new hardware cycle.For years, we've become accustomed to Nintendo kicking off a fresh generation with barmy, unpredictable experimentation. Irreverent technology (and jubilant first-party software to match) that can't reasonably be compared to the rotund boxes released by Microsoft and Sony. This time, Nintendo is joining its rivals in playing it safe. In promising more of the same, but better, and hoping that'll be enough to repeat the success of the past.It's an understandable position given the company's not-to-distant failings, but one that feels distinctly un-Nintendo. It's entirely possible the Switch 2 is hiding a few new tricks. Some keen-eyed viewers posit the reworked Joy-Cons could double as mouse-like controllers, offering new ways to play. Yet, Nintendo doesn't plan on releasing concrete tech specs for another couple of months, so that remains wishful speculation.Reinventing the wheel is overratedjust ask 12,000 years of wheelsTaking into account what we do know, the Switch 2 appears overwhelmingly beige. The vibrant colourways of the original Joy-Cons have been ditched in favor of homogenous grey. A bigger screen promises a little extra real-estate, but it's unclear whether Nintendo is prepared to make OLED the standard. A new 'C' button has spawned theories galore, but it's probably sensible to temper expectations as to how much innovation can be squeezed into a single input.The fact there is so much speculation over so little suggests the industry is struggling to reconcile itself with the idea of a Nintendo that is content (at least for now) to temper its adventurous side in pursuit of what it must feel are guaranteed returns.A modern mystery worthy of Miss MarpleAs we've already covered, the Switch sold like diamond-encrusted hot cakes slathered in gold. A key part of that success was how Nintendo was able to hit a palatable price point and gently iterate with the Switch Lite and OLED models, encouraging multiple sales within the same household. If it can do the same again, you'd have to expect a comparable uptake.Nintendo's first-party catalogue has also been superlative over the years, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (a more complete version of the Wii U release) having sold over 64 million units on the Switch alone. It's no surprise Nintendo seemingly chose to tease a new entry in the franchise alongside the Switch 2. Others like Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, and The Legend of Zelda chipped in with aplomb, selling eye-watering amounts over the years.Beyond that, it's vital to consider the console's wider impact. If imitation if the sincerest form of flattery, then Nintendo must feel like the bell of the ball. A massive list of hardware companies and platform holders have attempted to replicate the form factor of the Switch in the eight years since it launched. The Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and so many others all promise some version of portable gaming in a Switch-like package. Hell, even Microsoft is openly talking about developing a handheld in what would be a notable first for the company.This is the reality of the post-Switch world. It cannot be understated just how influential Nintendo's hybrid device has become since debuting in 2017. For the first time in decades, here was a machine that genuinely changed how we played by dissolving the barrier between handheld and home consoles.Will I be disappointed if the Switch 2 is completely devoid of whimsy? Yes, there will be pangs of melancholy, but then I also trust Nintendo to innovate in other ways. This is the company that turned The Legend of Zelda into a physics playground with Tears of the Kingdom, implemented a mechanic called 'Mouthful Mode' just to let Kirby swallow an entire automobile, and developed an alarm clock dubbed ALARMO because why the fuck not? Maybe we shouldn't despair just yet.

Pokmon Trading Card Game Pocket developer Creatures Inc. has finally unveiled how the incoming trading feature will work, but the community response was so poor it had to release a follow-up response.As expected, and perhaps feared, by the Pokmon TCG Pocket community, there are fairly severe restrictions on the incoming trading mechanic, which still lacks a release date despite being confirmed for January. Creatures Inc. announced these on X/Twitter.Complaints are headlined by the inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher. This means no ex level alternate art cards can be traded, not in their basic forms, rainbow bordered forms, immersive forms, or gold (Crown rarity) forms.Creatures Inc. said only "certain cards from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs will be able to be traded," though it's unclear if this solely refers to the 2 Star or higher restriction or if there are further cards banned from trading.Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokmon TCG Pocket: Genetic ApexIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250This all but confirms trading will arrive alongside the next full set, however, which is also due in January. Creatures Inc. is likely emphasizing that those new cards cannot be traded upon their release, but will seemingly be opened up to the feature later when it's less relevant. It also means the often timed exclusive Promo cards cannot be traded.Other restrictions to trading apply too. Cards can only be traded between friends, which the community has deemed makes sense, and only cards of the same rarity can be traded, which has been accepted too. The last element that's frustrated many, however, is that "items must be consumed in order to trade."It's unclear what this means exactly. Pokmon TCG Pocket uses Hourglasses to pace certain features including pack opening, wonder picks, and event battles. One booster pack can be opened for free once every 12 hours, and one Pack Hourglass, for example, reduces that amount of time by one hour.It's therefore possible Trade Hourglasses will be implemented as an item, essentially restricting how often players can trade without spending real-world money. Another popular theory is that Shinedust, an item considered by many to have little value as it solely changes the visuals of cards, will work for trades too.Pay DayThis mechanic, alongside the other restrictions, are likely being implemented to encourage (and maintain) player spending, as Pokmon TCG Pocket arrived October 30 and is estimated to have made $200 million in its first month alone.This huge amount of money comes as the digital TCG follows the standard mobile and free-to-play game model, flooding players with rewards in the first few days before soon drying up, with spending real-world money the only real way to re-experience that early thrill outside of the occasional set drop like Mythical Island.Completing Genetic Apex, the first set of cards which totals 226 officially but also contains 60 rare alternate art cards, will take players not spending money around two years according to one estimate, while those looking to make it rain can wrap up the collection after dropping around $1,500.Trading is undeniably a strong addition to Pokmon TCG Pocket that will improve the overall player experience, but fans have complained it's also fairly clearly being implemented as a means of increasing revenue too. Items being consumed in order to trade certainly alludes to this, as whether it's Trade Hourglasses or Shinedust or something else, players wanting to trade more regularly than the game deems okay will have to pay real money to do so.It's also evidenced in the inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher, which after almost three months of play for dedicated fans, are the majority of cards they are still missing. But making these cards available to trade would be a threat to Creatures Inc.'s revenue; if players could immediately trade for their missing cards, they wouldn't need to spend $10 or $100 for a random chance of getting them.As noted by the player who spent $1,500 on completing the first set, it's these final few pieces that are most difficult to get and thus require the most money spent. The standard $9.99 purchasing option grants 57 PokGold, an item which can be used to replace any of the Hourglasses otherwise available but at an increased rate. One PokGold replaces two Pack Hourglasses, for example.PlaySpending $9.99 therefore lets players open 28 booster packs for a total of 140 cards. Booster packs work in the same as their real-world counterparts, or in digital terms, loot boxes, meaning nothing of (relative) value is guaranteed, never mind the specific card players are looking for.Pokmon TCG Pocket does offer a mild alternative to finding these cards in the form of Pack Points; players earn five for every pack opened, and these can be exchanged for any card in the set.Exchanging a 2 Star rarity card costs 1,250 Pack Points, however. This means players must open 250 booster packs in total, or around $220 worth of PokGold, for a single card. Considering there are 29 different 2 Star rarity cards in the first set alone, plus three 3 Star rarity cards which cost 1,500 Pack Points and three Crown rarity cards which cost 2,500, there are fairly sobering restrictions to this mechanic.Trading ComplaintsTrading was therefore seen as a saving grace for players looking to collect every card (which is encouraged in-game via missions and rewards), but those hopes are all but dashed given Creatures Inc.'s announcement."Not being able to trade 2 Star at least really makes me want to drop the game," said lilgalois on Reddit. "Trash system," said Ashamed-Teaching6837. "So extra 3 Star cards are just dead cards. What a crock," said Analogmon.Social media is full of such complaints, which seemingly grew so excessive that Creatures Inc. had to issue a rare response."Thank you, everyone, for your immediate thoughts on this topic," Creatures Inc. said in a follow-up X/Twitter post. "Your concerns are seen. Once this feature becomes available, I'd like to invite everyone to try it and provide feedback. This way, the game can continue to evolve in an enjoyable way for everyone." Crucially, Creatures Inc. failed to say it would consider this criticism and aim to make changes.Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

It seems like only yesterday that the Nintendo Switch released to huge acclaim, not only due to its game-changing hybrid functionality as both a handheld and home console but also its award-winning flagship titleThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was easily one of the very best games of the 2010s. A lots happened since the consoles March 2017 launch: both PlayStation and Xbox have released new consoles (themselves now well into the halfway point of their life cycles), theres now plenty of competition in the handheld gaming space the Switch shepherded, and Breath of the Wild has received an excellent sequel.Almost eight years to the day, Nintendo is ready to launch into the next era of the Switch. Of course that means a brand-new consolethe just announced Switch 2. That also means that the first couple of months of 2025 will be a bit weird for Switch owners looking for new games for their beloved platform.In essence, there isnt much on offer in terms of new first-party exclusives for the Switch at the moment, as Nintendo is understandably focusing on new games for the Switch 2 (which we should hopefully learn a lot more about very soon). That said, there is just enough still coming to the Switch to keep players satiated until the next Nintendo console drops.Here are the big Switch games you need to keep an eye on this yearDonkey Kong Country Returns HDJanuary 16There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment. Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises. Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power BattlesAspyr January 23Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is getting a re-release for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game will have 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.Civilization 7Firaxis Games February 6Arriving nearly a decade after the previous game, Civilization VII promises to be a revolutionary new chapter in this award-winning franchise. Similar to its predecessors, Civilization VII is a turn-based tactical strategy game where you develop an empire across three distinct historic eras. With updated graphics and improved gameplay that includes updates to diplomacy mechanics, changes to production management, as well as other improvements, this evolution seems poised to bring this franchise into the next generation.Tomb Raider IV-VI RemasteredAspyr February 14Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Aspyr doesnt just port classic Star Wars games to current-gen console; the studios also been tasked with bringing back the original 3D Tomb Raider games as updated remasters on modern platforms. While Tomb Raider I-III got the remastered treatment last year, next up are The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness in one jam-packed package. The updated visuals assure that these games look better than ever, but dont expect anything too drastically different from the versions you played in the 2000s in terms of gameplayalthough you do get the option to switch between classic and modern graphics and control schemes in these remasters. That should be more than enough for those fans who simply want to relive the classics as they were all those years ago.Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification WarsKonami March 6The year of the remaster on the Nintendo Switchagain, we expect this to change as soon as the Switch 2 is unveiledcontinues with Konamis HD re-release of the first two games in the classic 90s RPG series Suikoden. Much like its contemporaries, these games feature turn-based combat and an epic fantasy tale about rebellion. During your quest, youll have to collect magic runes and recruit 107 companions to take down the corrupt Scarlet Moon Empire. If you already love Final Fantasy, try this excellent JRPG series next.Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive EditionMonolith Soft March 20Its hard to believe that its been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isnt just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring newly added story elements, which makes this one worth picking up again!Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings GameWt Workshop March 25New cozy game alert!Tales of the Shireis like ifStardew ValleyandAnimal Crossingtook a trip to the Shire ofLord of the Rings.The game lets players live out their dreams of hanging out in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We playedTales of the Shireat SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isnt technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs forLord of the Ringsfans to find.Capcom TBA 2025With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you arent an arcade legend, theres still plenty of fun to be had.Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D RemakeSquare Enix TBA 2025Game publishers havent always done a great job of preserving their own history, but Square Enix absolutely nailed it when it set out to remake the Erdrick Trilogy, the first three games in the classic Dragon Quest series. While Dragon Quest 3, which is chronologically the first title in the trilogy, was released last year, well get the second and third chapters of hero Erdricks story in a 2-in-1 package, with modernized visuals but the story and turn-based combat fans already love. If youve been waiting for the right time to play these three classic JRPGs, 2025 is the time.Metroid Prime 4: BeyondRetro Studios TBA 2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond hasnt had the smoothest development journey over the last decade. Originally in development at Bandai Namco Studios, Retro Studios, the original creator of the Metroid Prime series, took over production in 2019 at the behest of Nintendo, which set the game back years. But despite the bumps in the road, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks like a spectacular return for the series. What weve seen so far from the trailers looks a lot like the classic Metroid Prime experiencelots of first-person blasting, morph ball action, scanning, and Space Pirates to take downbut with shiny new visuals and a new story, which we know will involve the bounty hunter Sylux, whos hellbent on taking down Samus once and for all.Pokmon Legends: Z-AGame Freak TBA 2025Pokmon Legends: Z-A asks the question of what would happen if you combined urban planning with Pokmon. The game is set in the fictional Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan seeks to create a place where both people and Pokmon can thrive. While we dont know much about gameplay specifics just yet, this looks like itll be a fun and interesting entry in the franchise.Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DXYacht Club Games TBA 2025Shovel Knight fans, rejoice! An updated version of the original Shovel Knight game is on its way with some exciting new features, including 20 playable characters with unique playstyles. Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX calls on you to embark on a quest to save Shield Knight, defeat the evil Enchantress, and take down her Order of No Quarter. The game stays true to its original retro look and platforming game style while also introducing an online multiplayer mode as well as the power of Rewind and Save States to pause the game and plot the best strategy to get through a level. Shovel of Hope DX has a lot to offer whether youre a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series.

Some smartphone users are being welcomed into the new year with Verizon price raises of up to $15 per month on multi-line plans The price raises apply to myPlan customers with five or more lines, and those with legacy New Verizon Plan accounts.A Redditor shared an email they received announcing the increase to their myPlan account.Thanks for being a loyal Verizon customer. Were proud to provide you with the network that connects you to what matters most. In order to continue bringing you the best mobile experience, were adjusting our plan prices. No sooner than 2.20.25, our myPlan multiline discount for accounts with 5 or more lines will be reduced. This means the price for the myPlan lines below will increase by $3/mo per line.The carrier announced the separate increases to its New Verizon Plans in a new support document.Due to rising operational costs, youll see increased charges for this plan no sooner than 2/20/25:Each shared data plan single phone line account will be charged an added $4/month line access fee.Each shared data plan multi-phone line account will be charged an added $15/month line access fee.The dataoverage feeis increased from $15 to $20 per GB.This plan is no longer available to new customers.Photo byLeon BredellaonUnsplashAdd 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 17, 2025Ravie LakshmananWeb Security / BotnetCybersecurity researchers have exposed a new campaign that targets web servers running PHP-based applications to promote gambling platforms in Indonesia."Over the past two months, a significant volume of attacks from Python-based bots has been observed, suggesting a coordinated effort to exploit thousands of web apps," Imperva researcher Daniel Johnston said in an analysis. "These attacks appear tied to the proliferation of gambling-related sites, potentially as a response to the heightened government scrutiny."The Thales-owned company said it has detected millions of requests originating from a Python client that includes a command to install GSocket (aka Global Socket), an open-source tool that can be used to establish a communication channel between two machines regardless of the network perimeter.It's worth noting that GSocket has been put to use in many a cryptojacking operation in recent months, not to mention even exploiting the access provided by the utility to insert malicious JavaScript code on sites to steal payment information.The attack chains particularly involve attempts to deploy GSocket by leveraging web pre-existing web shells installed on already compromised servers. A majority of the attacks have been found to single out servers running a popular learning management system (LMS) called Moodle.A noteworthy aspect of the attacks are the additions to bashrc and crontab system files to ensure that GSocket is actively running even after the removal of the web shells.It has been determined that the access afforded by GSocket to these target servers is weaponized to deliver PHP files that contain HTML content referencing online gambling services particularly aimed at Indonesian users."At the top of each PHP file was PHP code designed to allow only search bots to access the page, but regular site visitors would be redirected to another domain," Johnston said. "The objective behind this is to target users searching for known gambling services, then redirect them to another domain."Imperva said the redirections lead to "pktoto[.]cc," a known Indonesian gambling site.The development comes as c/side revealed a widespread malware campaign that has targeted over 5,000 sites globally to create unauthorized administrator accounts, install a malicious plugin from a remote server, and siphon credential data back to it.The exact initial access vector used to deploy the JavaScript malware on these sites is presently not known. The malware has been codenamed WP3.XYZ in reference to the domain name that's associated with the server used to fetch the plugin and exfiltrate data ("wp3[.]xyz").To mitigate against the attack, it's recommended that WordPress site owners keep their plugins up-to-date, block the rogue domain using a firewall, scan for suspicious admin accounts or plugins, and remove them.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Shane Snider, Senior Writer, InformationWeekJanuary 17, 20254 Min ReadTithi Luadthong via Alamy StockApocalyptic scenes from greater Los Angeles, Californias continuing wildfire devastation raise serious questions about ITs growing need for a resource in short supply: water. The explosion of power-hungry AI models is a growing strain on water resources, even as the industry makes strides in mitigation efforts.Many factors -- from water shortages due to an ongoing drought, to infrastructure restraints -- led to a shortage of water and water pressure in fire hydrants throughout Los Angeles County. The shortages fueled partisan finger-pointing over blame. Water is increasingly becoming a major stress point for governments as IT needs increase.Three Democratic California lawmakers introduced four separate bills last week aimed at slowing AI and data center water consumption. One of the bills authors, Assemblymember Dian Papan, told Politico, Waters a limited resource. Im trying to make it so we are prepared and ahead of the curve as we pursue new technology.Providing a snapshot of increasing data center water use needs, the US Department of Energys report on the countrys data center energy use pegs total 2023 water use at 66 billion liters, up from 21.2 billion liters in 2014. And thats just for direct consumption to cool data centers themselves -- water needed to cool power plants supplying electricity to data centers, also adds to the total.Related:But transparency on water use is an issue. About 50% of organizations do not collect water usage data for data center operations, according to Statista.Data Center Map counts 286 data centers in California, including 69 in Los Angeles.AI Proliferation Driving Increased Water NeedsArtificial intelligence drove about 20% of new data center demand over the last year, according to a report from global commercial real estate firm JLL. The market for colocation data centers, which soak up some of the highest water use rates, doubled in size over the past 4 years, according to the report. Data creation is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 32% through 2030.The arms race to develop AI tools in the enterprise has driven excitement and fear about the emerging technology.Much of the hype around AI ethics has revolved around potential existential threats. Energy consumption and water use may not be a topic quite as scintillating as impending robot doomsday scenarios, but experts say the environmental impacts may pose the most immediate threat.Its heartbreaking to witness the aftermath of the LA fires and how theyve exposed critical water infrastructure challenges, says Manoj Saxena, CEO and founder of Responsible AI Institute and InformationWeek Insight Circle member. While we often debate the existential threats of AI, the immediate reality is its growing environmental impact -- particularly on carbon emissions and water consumption.Related:Pointing to statistics from the World Economic Forum, Saxena says global AI demand could push water usage to an astonishing 1.7 trillion gallons of annual water use. The fact that 20% of these servers already rely on water from stressed watersheds is a wake-up call.Water Saving Strategies: Can We Keep Up?There are many water saving techniques data centers are deploying, including immersion cooling (submerging servers in liquid), free cooling (using outside air in colder climates), direct-to-chip cooling, and more.But as more sustainable techniques come online, the need for much more powerful data center servers could cancel out those efforts. Older data centers cannot keep up with the computing needs of new AI systems. And upgrades mean more strain on water resources, so experts are pushing for initiatives to keep up with increasing demand.Companies are racing to adopt more sustainable data center plans. Microsoft, for example, is moving forward with new data center designs that use chip-level cooling to consume no water. This design will avoid the need for more than 125 million liters of water per year per datacenter, Steve Solomon, Microsofts vice president for datacenter infrastructure engineering, said in a blog post.Related:Considering Microsoft reported its cloud data centers had soaked up 6.4 million cubic meters of water in 2022 (a 34% increase from the year prior), canceling out water use would be a big win. But overall, tech companies have struggled to meet previously set sustainability goals as generative AI unexpectedly took off with the release of ChatGPT.But RAIs Saxena says more needs to be done -- and quickly.We need to act now to ensure AIs growth doesnt come at the cost of our planet, Saxena says. This means adopting water-efficient cooling technologies, capping water use in drought-prone regions, promoting closed-loop cooling systems, incentivizing renewable-powered AI operations, and fostering public-private partnerships to set sustainable infrastructure policies.About the AuthorShane SniderSenior Writer, InformationWeekShane Snider is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of industry experience. He started his career as a general assignment reporter and has covered government, business, education, technology and much more. He was a reporter for the Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh News and Observer and most recently a tech reporter for CRN. He was also a top wedding photographer for many years, traveling across the country and around the world. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two children.See more from Shane SniderNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. We need to protect the protocol that runs Bluesky Eli Pariser & Deepti Doshi Last week, when Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would be ending third-party fact-checking, it was a shocking pivot, but not exactly surprising. Its just the latest example of a billionaire flip-flop affecting our social lives on the internet. Zuckerberg isnt the only social media CEO careening all over the road: Elon Musk, since buying Twitter in 2022 and touting free speech as the bedrock of a functioning democracy, has suspended journalists, restored tens of thousands of banned users, brought back political advertising, and weakened verification and harassment policies. Unfortunately, these capricious billionaires can do whatever they want because of an ownership model that privileges singular, centralized control in exchange for shareholder returns. The internet doesnt need to be like this. But as luck would have it, a new way is emerging just in time. Read the full story. Deciding the fate of leftover embryos Over the past few months, Ive been working on a piece about IVF embryos. The goal of in vitro fertilization is to create babies via a bit of lab work: Trigger the release of lots of eggs, introduce them to sperm in a lab, transfer one of the resulting embryos into a persons uterus, and cross your fingers for a healthy pregnancy. Sometimes it doesnt work. But often it does. For the article, I explored what happens to the healthy embryos that are left over. These days, responsible IVF clinics will always talk to people about the possibility of having leftover embryos before they begin treatment. But it can be really difficult to make these decisions before youve even started treatment, and some people cant imagine having any left overor how they might feel about them. Read the full story.Jessica Hamzelou This article first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Technology Reviews weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Thursday, and read articles like this first, sign up here. MIT Technology Review Narrated: Palmer Luckey on the Pentagons future of mixed reality Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR, has set his sights on a new mixed-reality headset customer: the Pentagon. If designed well, his company Andurils headset will automatically sort through countless pieces of information and flag the most important ones to soldiers in real time. But thats a big if. This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which were publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released.The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The Biden administration wont force through a TikTok ban But TikTok could choose to shut itself down on Sunday to prove a point. (ABC News)+ A Supreme Court decision is expected later today. (NYT $)+ Every platform has a touch of TikTok about it these days. (The Atlantic $) 2 Apple is pausing its AI news feature Because it cant be trusted to meld news stories together without hallucinating. (BBC)+ The company is working on a fix to roll out in a future software update. (WP $)3 Meta is preparing for Donald Trumps mass deportations By relaxing speech policies around immigration, Meta is poised to shape public opinion towards accepting Trumps plans to tear families apart. (404 Media)4 An uncrewed SpaceX rocket exploded during a test flight Elon Musk says it was probably caused by a leak. (WSJ $)5 The FBI believes that hackers accessed its agents call logs The data could link investigators to their secret sources. (Bloomberg $)6 What its like fighting fire with waterDumping water on LAs wildfires may be inelegant, but it is effective. (NY Mag $) + How investigators are attempting to trace the fires origins. (BBC)7 The road to adapting Teslas charges for other EVs is far from smooth But it is happening, slowly but surely. (IEEE Spectrum)+ Donald Trump isnt a fan of EVs, but the market is undoubtedly growing. (Vox)+ Why EV charging needs more than Tesla. (MIT Technology Review)8 Bionic hands are getting far more sensitive FT $) + These prosthetics break the mold with third thumbs, spikes, and superhero skins. (MIT Technology Review)9 Gen Z cant get enough of astrology apps Stargazing is firmly back e\in vogue among the younger generations. (Economist $) 10 Nintendo has finally unveiled its long-awaited Switch 2 console Only for it to look a whole lot like its predecessor. (WSJ $)+ But itll probably sell a shedload of units anyway. (Wired $)Quote of the day Going viral is like winning the lotterynearly impossible to replicate. Sarah Schauer, a former star on defunct video app Vine, offers creators left nervous by TikToks uncertain future in the US some advice, the Washington Post reports. The big story After 25 years of hype, embryonic stem cells are still waiting for their moment August 2023 In 1998, researchers isolated powerful stem cells from human embryos. It was a breakthrough, since these cells are the starting point for human bodies and have the capacity to turn into any other type of cellheart cells, neurons, you name it. National Geographic would later summarize the incredible promise: "the dream is to launch a medical revolution in which ailing organs and tissues might be repaired with living replacements. It was the dawn of a new era. A holy grail. Pick your favorite clichthey all got airtime. Yet today, more than two decades later, there are no treatments on the market based on these cells. Not one. Our biotech editor Antonio Regalado set out to investigate why, and when that might change. Heres what he discovered. We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + If you're planning on catching up with a friend this weekendstop! You should be hanging out instead.+ David Lynch was a true visionary; an innovative artist and master of the truly weird. The world is a duller place without him.+ The very best instant noodles, ranked ($)+ Congratulations to the highly exclusive Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

John Armitt will chair NIC until July as it moves towards merger with IPAThe governments top infrastructure advisor has hit out at the governance of HS2 and warned against giving ministers more power over the project.The high speed rail project has been repeatedly cut back as it has faced huge delays and cost overruns, with ministers recently moving to take more oversight of the scheme in house.John Armitt speaking at the Building the Future Conference last yearBut according to John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), the heavy involvement of political figures in the projects governance has been a major contributor to its failures.I have to confess, Ive never been convinced by the governance structure of HS2, Armitt told the House of Commons transport committee earlier this week.Maybe Im influenced too much by my own experience, but having been chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority, where we were a separate standalone body with our own ability to to hire and fire, with our own ability to get on and be given significant delegated powers, I think the retention of HS2 Ltd within the Department of Transport can lead to too much oversight, quite frankly.Armitts appointment as chair of the NIC, which provides expert, independent advice to the government, has been extended for six months to July in order to facilitate the merger of the organisation with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.The pair of agencies will be replaced by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, which was a Labour Party manifesto commitment.Warning against further political control of schemes, Armitt noted that transport is an intensely political area and said he understood it being very difficult for ministers to stand backTheyre the ones who, at the end of the day, have to stand up here and defend whats happening, he said.> Also read:HS2 submits revised designs for Grimshaws Curzon Street stationOn the other hand, that is bound to lead to delays, its bound to lead, I fear at times, too much desire to actually meet every concern and objection and requirement for extra facilities within a scheme.I think its 12,000 local agreements which HS2 had to make after the hybrid bill.He said there was a risk that in order to just make progress, you just say okay, and that every time you say okay, then unfortunately, thats potentially more delay, but certainly extra cost.He continued: I think there is a natural inevitability that when government, by that, I mean the whole machinery of government is doing something there is a desire to actually please people, rather than a rather more private sector approach, which says, Sorry, I have not got any more money, That is all we can afford.Government is not very good at saying that.Addressing lessons learnt, he noted the impact of the decision to determine a route internally, which he contrasted with the approach taken on HS2, where a number of routes were proposed which were the subject of public debate.If you do that internally and then produce a route which is dropped out onto the public, its not surprising if you then get rather a strong kick and push back, he said.