Scale AI is facing its third lawsuit over alleged labor practices in just over a month, this time from workers claiming they suffered psychological trauma from reviewing disturbing content without adequate safeguards.Scale, which was valued at $13.8 billion last year, relies on workers it categorizes as contractors to do tasks like rating AI model responses. Earlier this month, a former worker sued alleging she was effectively paid below the minimum wage and misclassified as a contractor. A complaint alleging similar issues was also filed in December 2024.This latest complaint, filed January 17 in the Northern District of California, is a class action complaint that focuses on the psychological harms allegedly suffered by 6 people who worked on Scales platform Outlier.The plaintiffs claim they were forced to write disturbing prompts about violence and abuse including child abuse without proper psychological support, suffering retaliation when they sought mental health counsel. They say they were misled about the jobs nature during hiring and ended up with mental health issues like PTSD due to their work.They are seeking the creation of a medical monitoring program along with new safety standards, plus unspecified damages and attorney fees.One of the plaintiffs, Steve McKinney, is the lead plaintiff in that separate December 2024 complaint against Scale. The same law firm, Clarkson Law Firm of Malibu, California, is representing plaintiffs in both complaints. Clarkson Law Firm previously filed a class action suit against OpenAI and Microsoft over allegedly using stolen data that was dismissed after being criticized by a district judge for its length and content. Referencing that case, Joe Osborne, a spokesperson for Scale AI, criticized Clarkson Law Firm and said Scale plans to defend ourselves vigorously.Clarkson Law Firm has previously and unsuccessfully gone after innovative tech companies with legal claims that were summarily dismissed in court. A federal court judge found that one of their previous complaints was needlessly long and contained largely irrelevant, distracting, or redundant information, Osborne told TechCrunch. Osborne said that Scale complies with all laws and regulations and has numerous safeguards in place to protect its contributors like the ability to opt-out at any time, advanced notice of sensitive content, and access to health and wellness programs. Osborne added that Scale does not take on projects that may include child sexual abuse material.In response, Glenn Danas, partner at Clarkson Law Firm,told TechCrunch that Scale AI has been forcing workers to view gruesome and violent content to train these AI models and has failed to ensure a safe workplace. We must hold these big tech companies like Scale AI accountable or workers will continue to be exploited to train this unregulated technology for profit, Danas said.Topics

FOLKS, a Pitch Black company, has welcomed FuseFXs teams in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and Vancouver under the FOLKS umbrella. Anew Burbank, California FOLKS office has also been opened.FOLKS and FuseFX have worked as sister brands within Pitch Black, and the consolidation allows all teams to leverage shared capabilities, technology, and talent to provide cutting-edge visual effects artistry across North America.FOLKS presence in the United States is an incredible opportunity to work with top-tier talent, drive innovation, and build lasting partnerships like never before, " said Amlie Poitras, President of FOLKS. We cannot wait to deepen our relationships with our clients by being on the ground and by working closely with the talented people who are driving the future of the VFX industry. We are very excited about what is to come.Johnny Fisk has been named Executive Vice President. A Los Angeles native with decades of experience in VFX and animation, Fisk most recently served as President of FuseFX.FOLKS is now better equipped to provide efficient, seamless VFX services that meet the highest standards for their clients across the globe, said Sbastien Bergeron, CEO of Pitch Black. This is just the beginning of an exciting year as we continually evolve Pitch Blacks global creative capabilities across our 13 locations and brands, including FOLKS, Rising Sun Pictures, and El Ranchito. We cannot wait to see where it takes us.Source: Pitch Black Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Cinema 4D PolyFX Transition or Reveal Effect!In this tutorial Ill show you a really fun transition or reveal effect in Cinema 4D using the PolyFX. A perfect transition for sci-fi, HUD elements, Logos and moreHuge shoutout to Arturo. Check him out here: www.arturowong.comGet this free model, used in the tutorial, in our freebies section.Head to the Freebies Cinema 4D PolyFX Transition or Reveal EffectWell learn about the Cinema 4D PolyFX which will break your object into little pieces which will grow on for the reveal. Its perfect for sci-fi style stuff, or technology animations, or HUD items, or you could reveal logos with it.The other important part of this tutorial is showing you how to use a proxy object to apply the animation onto first. This will allow you to dial it all in quickly before adding the effects to your high resolution object. I hope you learn something new!Want More Quick Tips?If you want more of these, head to our YouTube channel, leave a comment, and subscribe!Leave a Comment and Subscribe Here

Stone & Webster, established in 1893 by MIT graduatesCharles StoneandEdwin Webster, was a national leader in electrification and power generation, and provided services in engineering, construction, environmental remediation, infrastructure, and plant operation for industrial clients. After the Boston Redevelopment Authority acquired and demolished sections of South Station for redevelopment, Stone & Webster decided to relocate their offices to this new site. Los Angeles-based architectural firmWelton Becket & Associates, designed the office building in a late International-style, which serves as a counter to the masonry and classically designed, South Station nearby. The steel frame with metal and glass skin and boxy form are effective at delineating the building from its neighbor, but is not pedestrian-friendly at the ground level as the raised ground floor is lined at the sidewalk by concrete steps. The building is now largely leased to Fidelity Investments.

The magic wand spells and air gestures are no longer supported by the S25 Ultra's S Pen - and probably future models. Here's why.

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Current fleet management technology can help fleet safety managers get the job done, but it has drawbacks.

Finding high-paying jobs and remote opportunities.gettyBased on a survey from The Ladders, a website for jobs that pay over $100,000 per year, high paying jobs are increasing in number. And more than 10% of jobs that pay six figures are now available remotely - bucking the current return to office trend for top earners. The analysis looked at over a million job postings, analyzed by quarter for comparison. The QoQ (quarter over quarter) changes reveal the roles and sectors (listed below) with the most high paying jobs in the fourth quarter of last year.The Rise of High Paying Job Opportunities with Remote Work OptionsAccording to Ladders Q4 2024 High Paying Jobs Report, the share of six-figure remote positions increased by nearly 10% last quarter. John Mullinix, Director of Growth Marketing at Ladders, highlighted sustained demand for flexibility among top earners, particularly in healthcare. This growth defies the narrative of mandatory in-office policies dominating workplace discussions. Does that mean that remote work is a possibility for you? Depends on your industry, your company...and your negotiating skills. Remote work is not dead, as an estimated 68% of U.S. employers offer some form of work location flexibility.Several key industries stand out as leaders in salary offers:Healthcare: Roles like Nurse Practitioner (+8.7% QoQ) and Medical Director (+53.8%) saw significant growth. The rise of telemedicine and healthcare technology underscores these trends.Technology: Senior Software Engineer roles surged 101.7% QoQ, driven by demand for AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity expertise.Corporate Leadership: Remote leadership positions, such as Strategy Directors and Chief Revenue Officers, are gaining traction as companies navigate economic uncertainty and focus on efficiency.Note that these high-paying in-demand jobs may or may not offer remote and hybrid arrangements. However, all roles in the study pay more than $100,000 per year.Industries and Companies Offering High-Paying Remote RolesTech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft continue to dominate the high paying jobs landscape, while healthcare leaders such as UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health drive growth in medical and pharmaceutical fields. Government contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies also stand out for their high-paying remote roles.The healthcare-tech intersectiondriven by telemedicine, data analytics, and AIis creating new opportunities for professionals who can merge clinical and technological expertise. Similarly, cybersecurity roles are becoming increasingly lucrative due to escalating digital threats.Top Ten Highest-Paying Job Titles in Q4 2024, with QoQ Change (Increase or Decrease in Listings)Project Manager 11.1%Nurse Practitioner 8.7%Physician Assistant 0.2%Pharmacist (full or part time) 22.2%Physician 32.7%Senior Software Engineer 101.7%Software Engineer 7.4%General Manager -16.1%Medical Director 53.8%Pharmacy Manager 12.1%Notice that General Manager is the only high-paying role that declined - significantly- in the fourth quarter of 2024. The GM role pays well, but its getting more scarce, as organizations are flattening and moving towards a self-leadership model for employees.Competition and Career Strategies for High-Paying JobsLadders High Paying Job Competition Index reveals that fields like human resources, marketing, and design face the highest competition for six-figure roles. Conversely, healthcare and engineering present less competitive pathways. Gen Z professionals seeking to maximize their earning potential should consider:Specializing in High-Demand Skills: AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity are critical areas with growing demand.Exploring Healthcare Management: Opportunities abound in digital health and telemedicine leadership for those with dual expertise.Targeting Companies Investing in Remote Work: Focus on organizations that are offering (or expanding) remote opportunities.Building Remote Work Competencies: Effective communication, time management, and proficiency with collaboration tools like Slack and Zoom can set candidates apart.The Future of Six-Figure WorkExperts predict four significant shifts in 2025:AI-Driven Roles: Companies will pay premiums for professionals skilled in AI and machine learning operations.Evolving Remote Work Models: Managers adept at leading distributed teams will be highly sought after.Healthcare-Tech Fusion: Innovations in telemedicine and health analytics will create executive-level opportunities.Strategic Leadership Demand: Businesses navigating market uncertainties will prioritize operational leaders.High paying jobs are out there - its just a matter of navigating your career to capture the opportunity.

In this photo illustration a smartphone screen displays the logos of Meta's social media apps Instagram (L) the logo of Facebook (C) and Threads (R), on January 15, 2025 in Bath, England.Anna BarclayGetty ImagesBy Solcyr BurgaJanuary 22, 2025 4:25 PM ESTIf you were once following former President Biden and Vice President Kamala on Instagram, you may now be following President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The change, which was met with anger and confusion from some, comes because the official accounts for the President of the United States (@POTUS), and Vice President (@VP), for instance, automatically get turned over to the next Administration.Official accounts designating leaders or important members of an administration are separate from Trump or Vances personal social media accounts. But some users claimed they were unable to unfollow Trump, and blamed Instagram. Meta, which owns Instagram, has said this is normal procedure.People were not made to automatically follow any of the official Facebook or Instagram accounts for the President, Vice President or First Lady. Those accounts are managed by the White House so with a new administration, the content on those Pages changes, Andy Stone, a communications spokesperson for Meta, shared on X on Wednesday. This is the same procedure we followed during the last presidential transition. It may take some time for follow and unfollow requests to go through as these accounts change hands.Under the practice, official accounts for higher positions of power retain their followers but the posts on the page are wiped clean. This also includes accounts on X. President Barack Obama, who was the first president to have an official presidential account on X, documented the switch in a 2016 blogpost.Archives of the previous administrations social media posts are preserved with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).Other official accounts, such as those for the Press Secretary, have also transitioned.The online frenzy related to following such accounts came as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was sitting behind Trump t at the Inauguration with other tech CEOs Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg also recently donated $1 million dollars to Trumps inaugural fund.Trumps accounts on Facebook and Instagram were previously temporarily suspended after the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots.More Must-Reads from TIMEL.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5C of WarmingHome Losses From L.A. Fires Hasten An Uninsurable FutureThe Women Refusing to Participate in Trumps EconomyBad Bunny On Heartbreak and New AlbumHow to Dress Warmly for Cold WeatherWere Lucky to Have Been Alive in the Age of David LynchThe Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise HarderColumn: No One Won The War in GazaContact us at letters@time.com

By Andrew R. ChowJanuary 22, 2025 3:48 PM ESTWhen Donald Trump won the presidency in November, many crypto fanatics celebrated, based on his promises to the industry that he would prioritize deregulation and legitimize crypto entrepreneurs. Days before his inauguration, industry heavyweights gathered in Washington for the Crypto Ball, celebrating their newly minted status as D.C. insiders.But during the event, Trump shocked nearly the entire room by posting online about the launch of a new cryptocurrency called TRUMP. This new currency, a so-called meme coin, has no inherent value, but rather fluctuates in price as people buy and sell the coin. Trumps fans and opportunistic day traders have generated billions of dollars in sales, driven by loyalty, hype, and the chance to make a quick buck. All of these trades have made the coins creatorsaffiliate companies of the Trump organizationbillions of dollars on paper. A day after its release, Melania Trump announced her own meme coin, which also rose and fell in crazed spurts. On Wednesday, TRUMP was the 25th most valuable cryptocurrency in the world, according to CoinMarketCapalthough its price of about $43 was well off its $75 high.Read More: What Trumps Win Means for Crypto.Trumps meme coins brought a surge of attention to crypto and many newcomers into the space. To some, the coins signaled Trumps commitment to crypto and to spurring its growth. But many more in the crypto world responded with revulsion to what they saw as a cash grab, and a way for Trump to directly profit off of his followers. Trumps team holds at least 80% of the coins supply, giving them vast power to control its price. While they are not allowed to sell off their holdings for months, doing so would crash the market and leave regular users with a loss.Crypto insiders worry that the coins will make the public even leerier of an industry already filled with scams and bad-faith actors. The crypto sector put someone in power whose first act is to emphasize and take advantage of the opportunity for grift within crypto, says Angela Walch, a crypto researcher and writer. And that's just embarrassing.Trump has downplayed his role in launching the coin, saying at a Jan. 21 press conference: I dont know much about it other than I launched it. The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A White House press officer declined to comment.But elected officials and legal experts are raising ethical and geopolitical concerns about the tokens, which they say could serve as a vehicle for bribery and conflicts of interest. These coins open a channel for him to receive financial benefits from foreign adversaries and to prioritize his personal interests, to the collective detriment of Americans, says Puja Ohlhaver, a lawyer affiliated with Harvards Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.What are meme coins?TRUMP and MELANIA are meme coins: cryptocurrencies that are essentially created by entrepreneurs out of thin air by writing code to deploy on a blockchain. Their worth comes from how much people believe in them and buy them. In order to generate excitement, the teams behind such coins often market them using popular memes which can be shared and iterated upon on social media. If memes on social media can propel culture, creativity, and even ideology, the thinking goes, then why shouldnt they be worth something financially as well?Dogecoin and Shiba Inu are two examples, with Dogecoin particularly propelled by Elon Musk, whose tweets about the coin have led to price spikes. The lack of inherent value makes meme coins especially volatile and speculative, which, to some, is part of their appeal: If investors buy at the right time, they can make a lot of money. Conversely, they can lose everything extremely fast if they buy in at the markets top. Meme coins have also been the vehicle for alleged scams, in which investors lost significant sums.Trumps admirers have often wielded memes as a marketing tool. During his presidential campaign, a team of content creators flooded social media with pro-Trump meme content. Last summer, unofficial Trump meme coins with names like Pepe (TRUMP) and Maga People Token (PEOPLE) rose and fell, with some bettors treating them as proxies for his chances of victory.Trump also has a history of using crypto to make money. He started selling NFT trading cards in 2022, and has made millions from them, according to financial disclosure documents. In September, he launched World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency platform which is not yet live.TRUMP starts tradingOn Jan. 18, two days before taking the oath of office, Trump launched his token via CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, while the Crypto Ball was in full swing. The move took the industry by surprise. Nick ONeill, a crypto entrepreneur at the eventwhich also featured appearances from Snoop Dogg and Speaker Mike Johnsonposted a video on X saying that very few people there were aware of the token.The next day saw a mad rush to buy and sell the token, causing all sorts of spillover effects. Solana, the blockchain supporting the token, and Coinbase, an exchange used to trade the coin, both experienced hours-long transaction delays. We were not anticipating this level of surge, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong wrote on Twitter.Within a day, the team controlling the token, led by CIC Digital, owned tokens worth some $51 billion on paper. (This figure isnt realistic, though, because the more they tried to cash out into actual dollars, the more the price would decrease.). Later that day, however, Melania Trump released her own meme coin, MELANIA, which actually deflated TRUMPs market cap by billions of dollars, as traders appeared to sell their holdings to buy into the new coin. Within an hour of MELANIAs launch, TRUMP fell from above $70 to around $45. A fake BARRON memecoin unassociated with Trumps youngest son also accumulated a $460 million market cap before crashing 95%.Some of Trumps staunchest supporters from the crypto world accused him of predatory behavior in connection with the coins launch. Crypto is supposed to champion the concept of decentralization; the Presidents team controls at least 80% of the TRUMP tokens supply. Another blockchain analytics company, Bubblemaps, found that 89% of MELANIAs token supply was in a single crypto wallet. Conor Gregor, a Coinbase executive, wrote on Saturday that Trumps team had made $58 million in trading fees alone.Trumps credibility has been totally destroyed, wrote Michael A. Gayed, an investment manager. Anthony Scaramucci, Trumps former White House communications director and a crypto evangelist, wrote: No one can honestly think this is good for our society.There's a lot of soul searching in the industry right now, says Walch. Great, we got power, but was it serving any purpose that we originally set out to achieve?Concerns over ethics and national securityCritics outside crypto also raised ethical concerns. Trump now has a direct stake in an industry that he is in charge of regulating. (The controlling companies, which are affiliates of Trumps business, wrote that Trump tokens are not investments or securities but are an expression of support.) The Presidents crypto windfall, critics suggest, disincentivize him to crack down on the industry, which could cause his tokens to decrease in value by billions of dollars. Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who is one of Congresss foremost crypto supporters, wrote on X that Elected officials must be barred from having meme coins by law.Some critics worry that these tokens represent a threat to national security, because they allow foreign agents to buy large amounts of the token as leverage over Trumps policy decisions. These agents could buy tokens to win Trumps favoror threaten to sell them off, which could crash the tokens price. They could also use cryptographic techniques to conceal their identity to everyone in the world but Trump, says Ohlhaver, at the Allen Lab.The Founding Fathers tried to prevent this sort of conflict of interest with the Emoluments Clauses in the Constitution, which prevent a President from using their office to enrich themselves. (At the time, gift giving was a common corrupt practice among European rulers and diplomats.) Some contend that the fact that Trumps token launch happened before he was sworn into office means he was operating as a private citizen. It's less complicated for them to launch these BEFORE he officially becomes President, wrote the crypto journalist Zack Guzmn on X. Claiming Trump is profiting from the Presidency and violating the Emoluments Clause would have been far easier if not.But Ohlhaver contends that as long as Trump owns a share of tokens, theres a significant conflict of interest. He still owns tokens, which will appreciate in price if a foreign adversary pumps it, she says. Ohlhaver also says that the Trump meme coin threatens our public understanding of money at its core. With the rise of social media and global social networks, it's very easy to leverage your status and influence to make a new form of money and legitimize that, she says. Its important for us to maintain our national public goods and make sure that they serve our common interests, rather than the narrow interests of an elite who will benefit tremendously at the expense of everybody else.Andrew R. Chows book about crypto and Sam Bankman-Fried, Cryptomania, was published in August.