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MacworldIn the U.S., its possible to store a digital version of your driving licence in Apple Wallet on your iPhone. (Provided your state permits this: currently just 10 do, while a further nine have promised to do so in the future.) But there are few signs of this becoming an option for iPhone owners in the rest of the world.There is some good news on that front for U.K. readers, however, because the British government has announced that it will launch a digital wallet of its own and that it will be possible to use this to store a digital driving licence and other important documents. Granted, this doesnt have quite the same appeal as a single storage point for all your bank cards, IDs, and tickets. But its somethingand remember that, in the absence of a national ID card, your driving licence can be used to prove your age when buying age-restricted items both online and in person.Science Secretary Peter Kyle made the announcement on January 21. The wallet app, which will be available for Android as well as iOS, will launch later this year, and the digital driving licence will also be piloted in 2025. Other elements of the scheme may take longer to fall into place, but all government services, ministers insist, will be required to offer a digital alternative alongside paper or card credentials by the end of 2027.Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history, Kyle said. GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.The government also announced a new GOV.UK app designed to make it easier (and more in tune with modern life) to use public services such as reporting lost passports, and plans to use tech in the public sector.

Fair warning: This isnt your average article about whats happening with all the newfangled AI hullabaloo in this weird and wild world of ours.Nope therell be no oohing and ahhing or talk about how systems like Gemini and ChatGPT and their brethren are, like, totally gonna revolutionize the world and change life as we know it.Instead, I want to look at the state of these generative AI systems through as practical and realistic of a lens as possible focusing purely on how they work right now and what theyre able to accomplish.And with that in mind, my friend, theres no way around it: These things seriously suck.Sorry for the bluntness, but for Googs sake, someones gotta say it. For all their genuinely impressive technological feats and all the interesting ways theyre able to help with mundane work tasks, Googles Gemini and other such generative AI systems are doing us all a major disservice in one key area and everyone seems content in looking the other way and pretending it isnt a problem.Thats why I was so pleasantly surprised to see that one tech giant seemingly isnt taking the bait and is instead lagging behind and taking its time to get this right instead of rushing it out half-baked, like everyone else.Its the antithesis to the strategy were seeing play out from Google and virtually every other tech player right now. And my goodness, is it ever a refreshing contrast.[Get level-headed insight in your inbox with my Android Intelligence newsletter. Three new things to know and try each Friday!]The Google Gemini Bizarro WorldI wont keep you waiting: The company thats getting it right, at least in terms of its process and philosophy, is none other than Amazon.Ill be the first to admit: Im typically not a huge fan of Amazon or its approach. But within this specific area, it really is creating a model for how tech companies should be thinking about these generative AI systems.My revelation comes via a locked-down article that went mostly unnoticed at The Financial Times last week. The reports all about how Amazon is scrambling to upgrade its Alexa virtual assistant with generative AI and relaunch it as a powerful agent for offering up complex answers and completing all kinds of online tasks.More of the same, right? Sure sounds that way but hang on: Theres a twist.Allow me to quote a pertinent passage from behind the paywall for ya:Rohit Prasad, who leads the artificial general intelligence (AGI) team at Amazon, told the Financial Times the voice assistant still needed to surmount several technical hurdles before the rollout.This includes solving the problem of hallucinations or fabricated answers, its response speed or latency, and reliability.Hallucinations have to be close to zero, said Prasad. Its still an open problem in the industry, but we are working extremely hard on it.(Insert exaggerated record-scratch sound effect here.)Wait what? Did we read that right?!Lets look to another passage to confirm:One former senior member of the Alexa team said while LLMs were very sophisticated, they came with risks, such as producing answers that were completely invented some of the time.At the scale that Amazon operates, that could happen large numbers of times per day, they said, damaging its brand and reputation.Well, tickle me tootsies and call me Tito. Someone actually gives a damn.If the contrast here still isnt apparent, let me spell it out: These large-language-model systems the type of technology under the hood of Gemini, ChatGPT, and pretty much every other generative AI service weve seen show up over the past year or two they dont really know anything, in any human-like sense. They work purely by analyzing massive amounts of data, observing patterns within that data, and then using sophisticated statistics to predict what word is likely to come next in any scenario relying on all the info theyve ingested as a guide.Or, put into laymans terms: They have no idea what theyre saying or if its right. Theyre just coughing up characters based on patterns and probability.And that gets us to the core problem with these systems and why, as I put it so elegantly a moment ago, they suck.As I mused whilst explaining why Gemini is, in many ways, the new Google+ recently:The reality is that large-language models like Gemini and ChatGPT are wildly impressive at a very small set of specific, limited tasks. They work wonders when it comes to unambiguous data processing, text summarizing, and other low-level, closely defined and clearly objective chores. Thats great! Theyre an incredible new asset for those sorts of purposes.But everyone in the tech industry seems to be clamoring to brush aside an extremely real asterisk to that and thats the fact that Gemini, ChatGPT, and other such systems simply dont belong everywhere. They arent at all reliable as creative tools or tools intended to parse information and provide specific, factual answers. And we, as actual human users of the services associated with this stuff, dont need this type of technology everywhere and might even be actively harmed by having it forced into so many places where it doesnt genuinely belong.That, mdear, is a pretty pressing problem.Allow me to borrow a quote collected by my Computerworld colleague Lucas Mearian in a thoroughly reported analysis of how, exactly, these large-language models work:Hallucinations happen because LLMs, in their in most vanilla form, dont have an internal state representation of the world, said Jonathan Siddharth, CEO of Turing, a Palo Alto, California company that uses AI to find, hire, and onboard software engineers remotely. Theres no concept of fact. Theyre predicting the next word based on what theyve seen so far its a statistical estimate.And there we have it.Thats why Gemini, ChatGPT, and other such systems so frequently serve up inaccurate info and present it as fact something thats endlessly amusing to see examples of, sure, but thats also an extremely serious issue. Whats more, its only growing more and more prominent as these systems show up everywhere and increasingly overshadow traditional search methods within Google and beyond.And that brings us back to Amazons seemingly accidental accomplishment.Amazon and Google: A tale of two AI journeysWhats especially interesting about the slow-moving state of Amazons Alexa AI rollout is how its being presented as a negative by most market-watchers.Back to that same Financial Times article I quoted a moment ago, the conclusion is unambiguous:In June, Mihail Eric, a former machine learning scientist at Alexa and founding member of its conversational modelling team, said publicly that Amazon had dropped the ball on becoming the unequivocal market leader in conversational AI with Alexa.But, ironically, thats exactly where I see Amazon doing something admirable and creating that striking contrast between its efforts and those of Google and others in the industry.The reality is that all these systems share those same foundational flaws. Remember: By the very nature of the technology, generative-AI-provided answers are woefully inconsistent and unreliable.And yet, Googles been going in overdrive to get Gemini into every possible place and get us all in the habit of relying on it for almost every imaginable purpose including those where it simply isnt reliable. (Remember my analogy from a minute ago? Yuuuuuup.)In doing so, its chasing short-term market gains at the cost of long-term trust. All other variables aside, being wrong or misleading with basic information 20% of the time or, heck, even just 10% of the time is a pretty substantial problem. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again: If something is inaccurate or unreliable 10% of the time, its useful precisely 0% of the time.And to be clear, the stakes here couldnt be higher. In terms of their answer-offering and info-providing capabilities, Gemini and other such systems are being framed and certainly perceived as magical answer machines. Most people arent treating em with a hefty degree of skepticism and taking the time to ask all the right questions, verify answers, and so on. Theyre asking questions, seeing or hearing answers, and then assuming theyre right.And by golly, are they getting an awful lot of confidently stated inaccuracies as a result something that, as we established a moment ago, is likely inevitable with this type of technology in its current state.On some level, Google is clearly aware of this. The company had been developing the technology behind Gemini for years before rushing it out into the world following the success and attention around ChatGPTs initial rollout but, as had been said in numerous venues over time, it hadnt felt like it was mature enough to be ready for public use.So what changed? Not the nature of the technology nope; by all counts, it was just the competitive pressure that forced Google to say screw it, its good enough and go all-in with systems that werent and still arent ready for primetime, at least with all of their promoted purposes.And that, my fellow accuracy-obsessed armadillo, is where Amazon is getting it right. Rather than just rushing to replace Alexa with some new half-baked replacement, the company is actually waiting until it feels like its got the new system ready with reliability, yes, but also with branding and a consistent-seeming user experience. (Anyone whos been trying to navigate the comically complex web of Gemini and Assistant on Android and beyond can surely relate!)Whether Amazon will keep up this pattern or eventually relent and go the good enough route remains to be seen. Sooner or later, investor pressure may force it to follow Googles path and put its next-gen answer agent out there, even if it in all likelihood still isnt ready by any reasonable standard.For now, though, man: I cant help but applaud the fact that the companys taking its time instead of prematurely fumbling to the finish line like everyone else. And I cant help but wish Google would have taken that same path, too, rather than doing its usual Google Thang and forcing some undercooked new concept into every last nook and cranny no matter the consequences.Maybe, hopefully, thisll all settle out in some sensible way and turn into a positive in the future. For the moment, though, Googles strategy sure seems like more of a minus than a plus for us, as users of its most important products and especially in this arena, it sure seems like getting it right should mean more than getting it out into the world quickly, flaws and all and at any cost.Get plain-English perspective on the news that matters with my free Android Intelligence newsletter three things to know and try in your inbox each Friday.

Many organizations have experimented with AI, but they havent always gotten the full value from their investments. A host of issues standing in the way center on the accuracy, fairness, and securityof AI systems. In response, organizations are actively exploring the principles of responsible AI: the idea that AI systems must be fair, transparent, and beneficial to society for it to be widely adopted.When responsible AI is done right, it unlocks trust and therefore customer adoption of enterprise AI. According to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology the essential building blocks of AI trustworthiness include:Validity and reliabilitySafetySecurity and resiliencyAccountability and transparencyExplainability and interpretabilityPrivacyFairness with mitigation of harmful biasDOWNLOAD THE REPORTTo investigate the current landscape of responsible AI across the enterprise, MIT Technology Review Insights surveyed 250 business leaders about how theyre implementing principles that ensure AI trustworthiness. The poll found that responsible AI is important to executives, with 87% of respondents rating it a high or medium priority for their organization.A majority of respondents (76%) also say that responsible AI is a high or medium priority specifically for creating a competitive advantage. But relatively few have figured out how to turn these ideas into reality. We found that only 15% of those surveyed felt highly prepared to adopt effective responsible AI practices, despite the importance they placed on them.Putting responsible AI into practice in the age of generative AI requires a series of best practices that leading companies are adopting. These practices can include cataloging AI models and data and implementing governance controls. Companies may benefit from conducting rigorous assessments, testing, and audits for risk, security, and regulatory compliance. At the same time, they should also empower employees with training at scale and ultimately make responsible AI a leadership priority to ensure their change efforts stick.We all know AI is the most influential change in technology that weve seen, but theres a huge disconnect, says Steven Hall, chief AI officer and president of EMEA at ISG, a global technology research and IT advisory firm. Everybody understands how transformative AI is going to be and wants strong governance, but the operating model and the funding allocated to responsible AI are well below where they need to be given its criticality to the organization.Download the full report.This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Reviews editorial staff.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.OpenAI has upped its lobbying efforts nearly sevenfoldOpenAI spent $1.76 million on government lobbying in 2024 and $510,000 in the last three months of the year alone, according to a new disclosure filed on Tuesdaya significant jump from 2023, when the company spent just $260,000 on Capitol Hill.The disclosure is a clear signal of the companys arrival as a political player, as its first year of serious lobbying ends and Republican control of Washington begins. While OpenAIs lobbying spending is still dwarfed by bigger tech players, the uptick comes as it and other AI companies are helping redraw the shape of AI policy. Read the full story.James ODonnellA new company plans to use Earth as a chemical reactorForget massive steel tankssome scientists want to make chemicals with the help of rocks deep beneath Earths surface.New research shows that ammonia, a chemical crucial for fertilizer, can be produced from rocks at temperatures and pressures that are common in the subsurface. The research was published yesterday in Joule, and MIT Technology Review can exclusively report that a new company, called Addis Energy, has been founded to commercialize the process.Ammonia is used in most fertilizers and is a vital part of our modern food system. Its also being considered for use as a green fuel in industries like transoceanic shipping. The problem is that current processes used to make ammonia require a lot of energy and produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Read the full story.Casey CrownhartThere can be no winners in a US-China AI arms raceAlvin Wang Graylin and Paul TrioloThe United States and China are entangled in what many have dubbed an AI arms race.In the early days of this standoff, US policymakers drove an agenda centered on winning the race, mostly from an economic perspective. In recent months, leading AI labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic got involved in pushing the narrative of beating China in what appeared to be an attempt to align themselves with the incoming Trump administration. The belief that the US can win in such a race was based mostly on the early advantage it had over China in advanced GPU compute resources and the effectiveness of AIs scaling laws.But now it appears that access to large quantities of advanced compute resources is no longer the defining or sustainable advantage many had thought it would be. Read the full story.Meet the divers trying to figure out how deep humans can goFiguring out how the human body can withstand underwater pressure has been a problem for over a century, but a ragtag band of divers is experimenting with hydrogen to find out.This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, whichwere 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-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Donald Trump has pardoned the creator of Silk RoadRoss Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, money laundering, and hacking. (BBC)+ The 40-year old has been in prison since 2015. (NYT $)+ Its a clear attempt to curry favor with the crypto community. (Bloomberg $)2 The US is embarking on a major AI data center pushOpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle will create $100 billion in computing infrastructure. (NYT $)+ Sam Altman says the project will facilitate the birth of AGI in America. (Insider $)3 What Trumps executive orders mean for youFrom a national energy emergency to pausing wind projects. (Fast Company $)+ The new President also officially established DOGE. (Ars Technica)4 YouTuber Mr Beast is considering buying TikTokHis lawyer insists hes deadly serious. (CNN)+ What is the true value of TikTok, exactly? (The Information $)+ Trump is open to Elon Musk bidding for ownership too. (The Guardian)5 Microsoft will foot the bill to restore part of the Amazon rainforestIn exchange for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of carbon credits. (FT $)+ Google, Amazon and the problem with Big Techs climate claims. (MIT Technology Review)6 Google sold AI tools to Israels military in the wake of the Hamas attackIn stark contrast to its public stance distancing itself from Israels security apparatus. (WP $)7 Inside the fight raging over NASAs first deep space stationSome experts argue we should start building living quarters directly on the moon instead. (Undark)+ Heres what an exploding rocket looks like. (New Scientist $)+ Whats next for NASAs giant moon rocket? (MIT Technology Review) 8 How the Parcae satellite program helped to win the Cold WarAnd ushered in a new age of eavesdropping in the process. (IEEE Spectrum)9 Startup founders are hustling for deals at inauguration partiesNetworking is so back, baby. (TechCrunch)+ How a Greenwich Village bar became a MAGA mecca. (NY Mag $)10 How AI could revamp treatment for snake bites Courtesy of a recent Nobel chemistry prize winner. (Economist $)Quote of the dayIts not at all like being an employee. Theres nobody you can talk to. Everything is automated.A gig economy driver tells the Guardian about his frustration in navigating the platforms apps.The big storyHow tactile graphics can help end image povertyJune 2023Chancey FleetIn 2020, in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, my husband and I bought a house in Brooklyn and decided to rebuild the interior. He taught me a few key architectural symbols and before long I was drawing my own concepts, working toward a shared vision of the home we eventually designed.Its a commonplace story, except for one key factor: Im blind, and Ive made it my mission to ensure that blind New Yorkers can create and explore images. As a blind tech educator, its my joband my passionto introduce blind and low-vision patrons to tools that help them move through daily life with autonomy and ease. Read the full story.We can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ To prevent sore shoulders and bad backs, it helps to know the muscles that cause them.+ Its time to join the crispy gnocchi club.+ If youre lucky enough to win an Academy Award, dont even think about trying to sell it.+ Space-age bachelor pad music looks like a pretty great genre to me.

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Apple's Mac mini with M4 can fit into a lot of use cases, especially because of its new, smaller size, and three months later, it's proven to be one of the most versatile Macs yet.M4 Mac mini reviewRedesigns can be fun and eye-catching, but they don't always lead to fundamental changes in what's possible or desired from a platform. The Mac mini with M4 is an exception, as it is now small enough to slot into some unique use cases.It's not that the previous Mac mini was large by any stretch, and there are certainly smaller desktop-class PCs out there, so a Mac being this small shouldn't be a big deal. Except, portability in Macs is more important than ever thanks to one product in particular Apple Vision Pro. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Following our previous look at an opening for aProject Captain at Practice, we are using this weeks edition of ourJob Highlights seriesto explore an open role on Archinect Jobs for the 2025 Summer Internship Program at KieranTimberlake.According to the firm, the internship provides a meaningful opportunity for students to participate in a range of professional design activities and to gain broad exposure to ideas that push the practice of architecture forward. Based in Philadelphia, the internship may see interns contribute to the planning, design, and documentation of projects as well as engage with the firms research group. Candidates should be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in architecture or a related design field and be available for a minimum of ten weeks. The application window will close on March 1, 2025.Four geometric glazed facades by KieranTimberlake: Your Next Employer? Image: Paulson Center at 181 Mercer. Image credit: Connie Zhou / JBSA ImagesWh...

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Earthquakes are among the most unpredictable and devastating natural phenomena, testing the resilience of the built environment and the ingenuity of architects and engineers. Across the globe, regions prone to seismic activity face the dual challenge of designing structures that not only endure these forces but also serve as symbols of hope and recovery for their communities. As urban populations grow and climate change exacerbates natural disasters, the need for buildings that prioritize safety and durability has never been more urgent.Over the years, advancements in materials science, structural engineering and computational modeling have transformed how architects approach earthquake-resistant design. The interplay of innovation and local context drawing from both cutting-edge technology and traditional building practices has led to remarkable solutions that minimize risk without compromising creativity.By weaving resilience into the fabric of architectural expression, designers are redefining what it means to create spaces that are not only safe but also inspiring. Each of the follow projects represent recent work built in earthquake zones, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication of architects who are pushing boundaries in seismic design. From adaptive construction techniques to systems that dissipate seismic energy, these examples illustrate how innovation can thrive while enriching the built environment.The Century Project for the Space NeedleBy Olson Kundig, Seattle, WashingtonOriginally built for the 1962 Worlds Fair, the Space Needle has long symbolized innovation and optimism. In its 55th year, the iconic tower underwent a major redesign through Olson Kundigs Century Project, preserving its legacy while creating a visitor experience fit for the next 50 years. The transformation emphasizes transparency and connection to the surrounding city, featuring a world-first rotating glass floor, floor-to-ceiling glass barriers and a glass-floored stairway connecting three levels.Alongside these enhancements, the project included essential seismic retrofitting to ensure the structures resilience in earthquake-prone Seattle. By revealing elements of the original engineering and improving accessibility, the redesign celebrates both the Space Needles history and its enduring vision of the future.Guildford Aquatic CentreBy Revery Architecture, Surrey, CanadaThe Guildford Aquatic Centre, an expansion of the existing Guildford Recreation Centre, was designed with resilience and sustainability at its core. Featuring a FINA-recognized lap pool with a moveable floor and bulkheads, the facility accommodates competitive swimming events, recreational activities and aquatic sports training.The centerpiece of the design is its prefabricated wood truss system, developed under the Citys Wood First Policy. Engineered for rapid on-site assembly without scaffolding, the trusses integrate lighting, mechanical services and acoustic absorption while offering corrosion resistance and renewable, carbon-sequestering benefits. Designed to meet modern seismic safety standards, the structure ensures durability and performance.Berluti ManufactureBy Barhlmy Grio Architectes, Ferrara, ItalyNestled on the Po River plain south of Ferrara, the new Berluti manufacture and luxury shoemaking school blends industrial function with refined architectural expression. Designed to meet stringent seismic safety standards in this earthquake-prone area, the building incorporates anti-seismic reinforcements while concealing its industrial functions, such as ventilation and extraction systems, within an elegant and unobtrusive form.Its untreated cedar faade, designed to weather into a silvery gray, features rhythmic brackets that act as sun breakers and open the workshop to the surrounding landscape. Inside, a grand agora with interlocking wooden beams creates a central space that celebrates craftsmanship, weaving together the workshops various processes from cutting to prototyping.Monologue Art MuseumBy Wutopia Lab, Qinhuangdao, ChinaThe Monologue Art Museum, designed by Wutopia Lab for Sino-Ocean Group, is a serene retreat in the SEATOPIA community of Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao. Nestled within a green park, the museum invites visitors to escape worldly distractions through a journey of introspection and artistry. Its unique design draws inspiration from Chinese painting, with shifting ink lines formed by walls, corridors and monolithic spaces that house a theater, yoga studio, dance studio, art gallery and tranquil water courtyard.Structural innovations, including seismic joints dividing the building into four independent units, ensure resilience against earthquakes while preserving the museums seamless visual flow. A gradient-stained glass yoga room, reflective black pools, and sculptural flower walls contribute to a poetic atmosphere, making the museum a haven for solitude and contemplation by the sea.Rwanda Cricket StadiumBy Light Earth Designs, Kigali, RwandaThe Rwanda Cricket Stadium by Light Earth Designs showcases innovation and sustainability through its three parabolic vaults, which echo both the trajectory of a bouncing ball and Rwandas iconic hilly landscape. Built using local labor and materials, the structure incorporates compressed soil-cement tiles made from site-excavated earth, adapting the ancient Mediterranean thin-tile vaulting technique for East Africa.To address Kigalis moderate seismic risk, geogrid reinforcement was added to the vaults, ensuring stability in earthquakes. The lightweight yet strong vaults are waterproofed and topped with local granite for additional stability and a natural aesthetic. Complementing the design are low-carbon bricks, recycled materials and timber elements repurposed from the construction process, creating a building that is both a testament to Rwandan craftsmanship and a model of sustainable design.Apple ParkBy Foster + Partners, Cupertino, CaliforniaApple Park is a visionary campus designed to foster creativity, innovation and well-being while integrating with its natural surroundings. The 175-acre site, transformed from impervious surfaces into 80% green space, features over 9,000 trees, walking trails, meadows, and a serene pond. At its center is the iconic Ring Building, a groundbreaking structure with curved glass facades that bring natural light and fresh air into its flexible workspaces.The buildings advanced precast concrete structure includes innovative void slabs that integrate radiant heating and cooling while enhancing seismic resilience in Californias earthquake-prone environment. The building uses base isolation technology, which separates the buildings foundation from the ground. This greatly reduces earthquake shaking. Complementing the Ring are spaces like the Steve Jobs Theater, Fitness and Wellness Center, and Visitors Center, all designed to harmonize with the landscape and support a sustainable future.Jojutla Central GardensBy Estudio MMX, Jojutla, MexicoFollowing devastating earthquakes, Jojutla underwent a transformation to restore its identity and community spaces with the creation of Jardines Centrales de Jojutla. Designed by Estudio MMX through a participatory process involving local residents, leaders and historians, the project draws inspiration from resilient trees that withstood the quake, symbolizing strength and continuity.The new civic center features shaded plazas, lush gardens, and arcades that reinterpret traditional regional architecture, using materials like ochre brick, basaltic stone, and native flora. Designed with seismic resilience in mind, the project not only reorganizes and redefines previously disjointed spaces but also provides a blend of shaded leisure areas, a civic square and open-air forums that foster social interaction, relaxation and community connection.Jiuzhaigou Visitor Service FacilitiesBy Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University, ChinaThe Jiuzhaigou Visitor Service Facilities, located at the entrance of the Jiuzhai Valley National Park within the Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Site, were designed as a post-earthquake reconstruction project to support up to 41,000 daily visitors while preserving the sites natural and cultural heritage. The design incorporates seismic resilience through extensive site evaluations and the use of prefabricated construction to minimize environmental impact.The architecture integrates with the landscape, featuring a flowing, aerodynamic form that echoes the surrounding mountains and uses indigenous materials like slate tiles and glulam wood. Traffic congestion is alleviated through innovative three-dimensional transportation planning, including elevated bridges and a two-layer roundabout. The project also preserves existing pine trees, incorporates Tibetan Lingka principles in its landscaping and enhances the visitor experience with spaces that celebrate local culture, such as a grand flag tent for festivals.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Seismic Safety: Architectural Innovations in Earthquake Zones appeared first on Journal.

Between numerous awards, perfect scores and, well, no official sales numbers, Square Enixs Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of the most significant games of last year. Its the long-awaited second part in the Remake saga an honor superseding even the latest mainline title. While the hype was monumental, it mostly delivered and was earmarked as a favorite to sweep the year-end awards (were it not for a certain interstellar droid). That isnt to say that Rebirth didnt cause some divisiveness or scored on every single facet, but it wouldnt be a Final Fantasy game otherwise.Almost a year later, weve arrived at the PC versions launch. If youve been holding off on experiencing the PS5 version for whatever reason, then good news in some ways, its a better experience on PC. The flaws still shine as bright and annoying as ever, but this is currently the best way to play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth."Several plot points and locations from the original are expanded, some in endearing ways and others less so. Others have been rearranged or even cut entirely."Without getting into many spoilers, the story follows Cloud and friends Tifa, Barret, Aerith and Red XIII as they venture out of Midgar to pursue the ever-enigmatic Sephiroth. The circumstances of the original plot have changed significantly, resulting in some intriguing character shifts. Tifa feels more open with Cloud even as she attempts to address whats gnawing at him. Barret feels more well-rounded and forms a tangible bond with him. You may consider these changes as expanding on previous nuances or venturing into unknown territory either way, they feel natural and build the partys bonds in a different yet familiar tone.Of course, its impossible to talk about change without addressing the story. Several plot points and locations from the original are expanded, some in endearing ways and others less so. Others have been rearranged or even cut entirely. Your mileage may vary on all of that, but theres no denying that the pacing can occasionally drag (and Im sorry, but Remake had a way better opening hour).Then there are the final few chapters, which introduce several new twists and additions, further diverging from the originals plot, but also not, if that makes any sense. Ill reserve judgment until the final part, though its understandable that some find Rebirths overall conclusion dissatisfying.Thankfully, this doesnt ruin the experience as a whole. I still enjoyed bonding with allies while embarking on side quests (of which theres an almost ludicrous amount). The voice acting and performances are top-notch, enough to soldier through some iffy dialogue and exchanges. Also, for as many light-hearted moments as Rebirth packs into its story, it capably delivers on the more emotional.The other big shift is in the environmental design and flow, offering more open-world-like regions alongside the linear sections. While highlighting the new traversal methods, they also deliver a smattering of content, from discovering Summon Shrines and activating Remnawave Towers to finding Lifesprings, gathering materials, and taking on various jobs. Then you have the extensive mini-games."However, aside from abilities, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summons, there are also Synergy Skills. Theyre a welcome addition, offering something to lean on when building ATB and ensuring a constant tempo."The card battler Queens Blood could be a default activity alone, but Rebirth goes above and beyond, delivering tons of variety, and thats before reaching the Golden Saucer. Admittedly, there are times when they can affect the pacing and sometimes feel superfluous to the plot, but I found myself enjoying them more often than not.Theres enough for the combat-minded to indulge in as well. Like Remake, each character has unique abilities, from Clouds Punisher Mode to Tifas Chi Levels and Barrets long-range fire. The new additions to the roster further diversify your tactics with Red XIIIs Vengeance Mode providing an aggressive new playstyle. Meanwhile, you have Yuffie, who dishes out damage with her Throwing Star while harnessing elemental ninjutsu.The combat loop is similar to Final Fantasy 7 Remake in that the action plays out in real-time (at least in Active Mode). You bring up the Commands menu to select different options, with Active Time Bar gauges influencing which abilities can be unleashed. From there, you focus on pressuring and breaking enemies to stagger them, swapping between party members as necessary. However, aside from abilities, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summons, there are also Synergy Skills.Depending on the party, various members can team up to unleash powerful attacks. Its a welcome addition, offering something to lean on when building ATB and ensuring a constant tempo. The Folio system governs your unlocking of new abilities, stat upgrades, and Synergies, and its straightforward enough. The Party Level also encourages really exploring the various regions and bonding with teammates, if for no other reason than to get stronger."Even with occasional frame drops, the visuals are crisp and only highlight how incredible these vistas, character designs, cutscenes, and so much more can truly look."If youve already played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PS5, all this will sound familiar. The real question is: How does the PC version fare? The good news is: Pretty well. My rig isnt special, yet I could sustain a solid frame rate even while playing with everything set to High. Some frame drops during busier sections, like those with extensive particle effects, smoke, and environmental details, can occasionally occur. They werent too hefty for the most part, and during combat, the action remained relatively smooth without any major hiccups.Regardless, the fidelity improvements may very well be worth the price of admission alone. One of the biggest criticisms against the PS5 version was the image quality, even after post-demo feedback, on Performance Mode. Even with occasional frame drops, the visuals are crisp and only highlight how incredible these vistas, character designs, cutscenes, and so much more can truly look.However, some settings can be weird. Changing the resolution requires switching to Windowed mode, selecting your preference, and returning to Borderless Fullscreen (unless youre fine with a noticeable line at the top of your screen). As for DLSS, you can enable it for Anti-Aliasing. Thats it theres no way to adjust for Quality, Performance or anything in between.In fact, there are no options for upscaling at all, like FSR. Its not a deal-breaker personally, but for those who want to eke out some extra performance, its perplexing. On the bright side, the keyboard and mouse controls feel pretty good, and rebinding offers dual slots for actions. You can also assign functions to mouse buttons, which is great."If youve held off on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth this long and didnt want to spend a bomb on a PS5 Pro, the PC version is worth taking the plunge."Topping all this off is legendary composer Nobuo Uematsus soundtrack, perhaps his most extensive work to date. Each track is brimming with personality and charm, whether youre sauntering through a region on Chocobo-back or conversing with your allies. It fits impressively with the game, blazing a path forward while adhering to the originals tone and atmosphere.Even with some narrative and pacing quirks, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is still an incredible role-playing experience, from its presentation and combat to the exploration and characterization. Watching the bonds between these beloved characters evolve in unexpected ways, discovering new challenges and making short work of enemies, customizing Materia loadouts the list goes on, and much of it is enjoyable while expanding on the lore.Sure, several parts of the experience may not vibe with certain players. The more open-world-esque exploration also doesnt break much ground or significantly innovate, so if youre not a fan of such world design, its worth keeping in mind. Regardless, the highs are significantly more endearing than the lows.As for the PC port, its great to finally have an option that brings out the games fidelity. Im interested to see how Square Enix improves on it further with additional optimization and more options. Suffice it to say, if youve held off on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth this long and didnt want to spend a bomb on a PS5 Pro, the PC version is worth taking the plunge.This game was reviewed on PC.