Have you ever admired how smartphone cameras isolate the main subject from the background, adding a subtle blur to the background based on depth? This portrait mode effect gives photographs a professional look by simulating shallow depth-of-field similar to DSLR cameras. In this tutorial, well recreate this effect programmatically using open-source computer vision models, like SAM2 from Meta and MiDaS from Intel ISL.To build our pipeline, well use:Segment Anything Model (SAM2): To segment objects of interest and separate the foreground from the background.Depth Estimation Model: To compute a depth map, enabling depth-based blurring.Gaussian Blur: To blur the background with intensity varying based on depth.Step 1: Setting Up the EnvironmentTo get started, install the following dependencies:pip install matplotlib samv2 pytest opencv-python timm pillowStep 2: Loading a Target ImageChoose a picture to apply this effect and load it into Python using the Pillow library.from PIL import Imageimport numpy as npimport matplotlib.pyplot as pltimage_path = "<path to your image>.jpg"img = Image.open(image_path)img_array = np.array(img)# Display the imageplt.imshow(img)plt.axis("off")plt.show()Step 3: Initialize the SAM2To initialize the model, download the pretrained checkpoint. SAM2 offers four variants based on performance and inference speed: tiny, small, base_plus, and large. In this tutorial, well use tiny for faster inference.Download the model checkpoint from:Replace <model_type> with your desired model type.from sam2.build_sam import build_sam2from sam2.sam2_image_predictor import SAM2ImagePredictorfrom sam2.utils.misc import variant_to_config_mappingfrom sam2.utils.visualization import show_masksmodel = build_sam2( variant_to_config_mapping["tiny"], "sam2_hiera_tiny.pt",)image_predictor = SAM2ImagePredictor(model)Step 4: Feed Image into SAM and Select the SubjectSet the image in SAM and provide points that lie on the subject you want to isolate. SAM predicts a binary mask of the subject and background.image_predictor.set_image(img_array)input_point = np.array([[2500, 1200], [2500, 1500], [2500, 2000]])input_label = np.array([1, 1, 1])masks, scores, logits = image_predictor.predict( point_coords=input_point, point_labels=input_label, box=None, multimask_output=True,)output_mask = show_masks(img_array, masks, scores)sorted_ind = np.argsort(scores)[::-1]Step 5: Initialize the Depth Estimation ModelFor depth estimation, we use MiDaS by Intel ISL. Similar to SAM, you can choose different variants based on accuracy and speed.Note: The predicted depth map is reversed, meaning larger values correspond to closer objects. Well invert it in the next step for better intuitiveness.import torchimport torchvision.transforms as transformsmodel_type = "DPT_Large" # MiDaS v3 - Large (highest accuracy)# Load MiDaS modelmodel = torch.hub.load("intel-isl/MiDaS", model_type)model.eval()# Load and preprocess imagetransform = torch.hub.load("intel-isl/MiDaS", "transforms").dpt_transforminput_batch = transform(img_array)# Perform depth estimationwith torch.no_grad(): prediction = model(input_batch) prediction = torch.nn.functional.interpolate( prediction.unsqueeze(1), size=img_array.shape[:2], mode="bicubic", align_corners=False, ).squeeze()prediction = prediction.cpu().numpy()# Visualize the depth mapplt.imshow(prediction, cmap="plasma")plt.colorbar(label="Relative Depth")plt.title("Depth Map Visualization")plt.show()Step 6: Apply Depth-Based Gaussian BlurHere we optimize the depth-based blurring using an iterative Gaussian blur approach. Instead of applying a single large kernel, we apply a smaller kernel multiple times for pixels with higher depth values.import cv2def apply_depth_based_blur_iterative(image, depth_map, base_kernel_size=7, max_repeats=10): if base_kernel_size % 2 == 0: base_kernel_size += 1 # Invert depth map depth_map = np.max(depth_map) - depth_map # Normalize depth to range [0, max_repeats] depth_normalized = cv2.normalize(depth_map, None, 0, max_repeats, cv2.NORM_MINMAX).astype(np.uint8) blurred_image = image.copy() for repeat in range(1, max_repeats + 1): mask = (depth_normalized == repeat) if np.any(mask): blurred_temp = cv2.GaussianBlur(blurred_image, (base_kernel_size, base_kernel_size), 0) for c in range(image.shape[2]): blurred_image[..., c][mask] = blurred_temp[..., c][mask] return blurred_imageblurred_image = apply_depth_based_blur_iterative(img_array, prediction, base_kernel_size=35, max_repeats=20)# Visualize the resultplt.figure(figsize=(20, 10))plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)plt.imshow(img)plt.title("Original Image")plt.axis("off")plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)plt.imshow(blurred_image)plt.title("Depth-based Blurred Image")plt.axis("off")plt.show()Step 7: Combine Foreground and BackgroundFinally, use the SAM mask to extract the sharp foreground and combine it with the blurred background.def combine_foreground_background(foreground, background, mask): if mask.ndim == 2: mask = np.expand_dims(mask, axis=-1) return np.where(mask, foreground, background)mask = masks[sorted_ind[0]].astype(np.uint8)mask = cv2.resize(mask, (img_array.shape[1], img_array.shape[0]))foreground = img_arraybackground = blurred_imagecombined_image = combine_foreground_background(foreground, background, mask)plt.figure(figsize=(20, 10))plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)plt.imshow(img)plt.title("Original Image")plt.axis("off")plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)plt.imshow(combined_image)plt.title("Final Portrait Mode Effect")plt.axis("off")plt.show()ConclusionWith just a few tools, weve recreated the portrait mode effect programmatically. This technique can be extended for photo editing applications, simulating camera effects, or creative projects.Future Enhancements:Use edge detection algorithms for better refinement of subject edges.Experiment with kernel sizes to enhance the blur effect.Create a user interface to upload images and select subjects dynamically.Resources:Segment anything model by META (https://github.com/facebookresearch/sam2)CPU compatible implementation of SAM 2 (https://github.com/SauravMaheshkar/samv2/tree/main)MIDas Depth Estimation Model ( https://pytorch.org/hub/intelisl_midas_v2/) Vineet Kumar+ postsVineet Kumar is a consulting intern at MarktechPost. He is currently pursuing his BS from the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Kanpur. He is a Machine Learning enthusiast. He is passionate about research and the latest advancements in Deep Learning, Computer Vision, and related fields. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

LatestMachine LearningDebugging in the Age of AI-Generated Code 0 like January 21, 2025Share this postAuthor(s): Diop Papa Makhtar Originally published on Towards AI. a Developer coding with his laptopIn the fast-evolving world of software development, the landscape is shifting dramatically. The rise of AI-generated code is heralding a new era of productivity and innovation. Tools like GitHub Copilot and OpenAIs Codex promise to speed up development cycles, reduce boilerplate coding, and democratize programming by lowering entry barriers. Yet, this technological leap brings an equally pressing need: the art and science of debugging are becoming more critical than ever.In this article, we will explore why debugging is the cornerstone of programming in an AI-assisted world (1 ) and why enterprises need to place a sharper focus on evaluating debugging skills during the hiring process (2).The Rise of AI-Generated CodeAI-generated code is a marvel of modern technology. By harnessing the power of machine learning and vast training datasets, AI tools can write snippets, functions, and even entire applications with minimal human intervention. The potential benefits are enormous:Increased Efficiency: Developers can focus on higher-level problem-solving while AI handles repetitive coding tasks.Enhanced Accessibility: Non-programmers or junior developers can leverage these tools to achieve complex outcomes.Rapid Prototyping: Teams can iterate faster, testing ideas and concepts in record time.However, these advantages come with inherent risks. AI models, no matter how advanced, are not infallible. They are trained on existing data and, as such, are prone to:Generating syntactically correct but semantically flawed code.Producing insecure, inefficient, or non-performant implementations.Reinforcing biases or incorporating vulnerabilities present in their training data.The result? Developers and engineers will spend an increasing portion of their time diagnosing and fixing issues in AI-generated outputs rather than writing code from scratch. Debugging long considered a fundamental skill is now becoming the primary activity of software engineering.Debugging is The Core of ProgrammingProgramming is the art of debugging an empty file. While this saying was coined in the pre-AI era, it rings even truer today. Debugging has always been a vital skill for developers, but in the context of AI-generated code, it is rapidly becoming the focal point of the development process.Why Debugging Matters More Than EverAI-Generated Code Isnt Perfect: While AI can produce code faster, it lacks context. It doesnt fully understand the nuances of a specific application or the intent behind a project. Debugging ensures that the generated code aligns with business requirements and behaves as expected.Integration Challenges: Most projects involve integrating new features into existing systems. AI-generated snippets might not fit seamlessly with legacy codebases, requiring developers to debug integration points extensively.Error Identification: AI often generates code that works but only under specific conditions. Debugging helps uncover edge cases, race conditions, or unintended behaviors that could lead to catastrophic failures in production.Security Concerns: Debugging isnt just about fixing functionality; its also about ensuring security. AI-generated code can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities that need to be identified and patched.Debugging as a Skill: The Underrated CompetenceDespite its importance, debugging remains an underrated and often under-assessed skill in the hiring process for developers and software engineers. The traditional interview process tends to prioritize:Problem-solving through algorithms.Coding proficiency in specific languages.Knowledge of frameworks and libraries.While these are essential skills, they are not always indicative of a candidates ability to diagnose and fix complex issues. Debugging is a distinct skill that requires:Analytical Thinking: Understanding the root cause of a problem rather than just its symptoms.Attention to Detail: Spotting subtle issues in code that could lead to major problems.Resilience: Debugging can be frustrating, requiring persistence and a methodical approach.Broad Knowledge: A solid understanding of systems, dependencies, and architectures is crucial for effective debugging.Shifting the Focus: Debugging in HiringTo prepare for the AI-assisted future of software development, enterprises need to rethink their approach to hiring. Evaluating debugging skills should take center stage, ensuring teams are equipped to handle the unique challenges posed by AI-generated code.Strategies for Assessing Debugging SkillsDebugging-Focused Challenges: Include debugging tasks in technical interviews. Present candidates with flawed code and evaluate their ability to identify and resolve issues. Focus on both their technical solutions and their thought process.Real-World Scenarios: Provide candidates with scenarios that mimic real-world conditions, such as integrating third-party APIs or resolving performance bottlenecks in existing code.Pair Programming: Observe candidates in a pair programming setting where they work with another engineer to debug a problem. This approach highlights their communication skills, collaboration, and debugging methodology.Code Review Assessments: Evaluate a candidates ability to review and debug others code, reflecting real-world team dynamics.Debugging Tools Proficiency: Assess familiarity with debugging tools like debuggers, profilers, and logging frameworks. These tools are essential for efficient issue resolution.Building a Culture That Values DebuggingBeyond hiring, organizations need to foster a culture that recognizes and rewards debugging expertise. Heres how:Training and Development: Offer regular training sessions and workshops focused on debugging techniques, tools, and best practices.Mentorship Programs: Pair junior developers with experienced engineers who can guide them in honing their debugging skills.Recognition and Rewards: Celebrate debugging successes. Acknowledge team members who resolve complex issues, just as you would those who deliver new features.Invest in Tools: Provide teams with advanced debugging tools and resources, ensuring they have what they need to succeed.The rise of AI-generated code is reshaping the software development landscape, shifting the focus from coding to debugging. As this trend accelerates, debugging skills will become the most valuable asset for developers and engineers. Enterprises that recognize this shift and prioritize debugging in their hiring and development strategies will be best positioned to thrive in the AI-assisted future.By embracing debugging as both an art and a science, we not only address the challenges posed by AI-generated code but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.In the end, debugging isnt just about fixing code; its about building resilient, reliable systems that drive the future forward.P.S.There is a significant opportunity for innovation in assessing debugging skills. Platforms like Codility and LeetCode have revolutionized how coding and algorithmic problem-solving are evaluated. However, a dedicated platform for debugging assessments could fill a crucial gap. Such a platform could present candidates with realistic debugging challenges, assess their problem-solving methodologies, and evaluate their proficiency with modern debugging tools. AI could play a pivotal role in creating these assessments by generating complex scenarios, simulating bugs, and even providing real-time insights into candidates approaches. For enterprises, investing in such solutions could streamline hiring processes and ensure that teams are equipped with top-tier debugging talent to thrive in the AI-driven development landscape.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

NetEase Games has revealed the Marvel Rivals Spring Festival event, which adds a handful of new hero skins and a soccer game mode that might look familiar to Overwatch and Rocket League players.The team behind the hero shooter hit announced its latest update with a trailer, below, promising to kick off the new year with the Clash of Dancing Lions game mode as well as the Fortune & Colors Gallery Card customization event starting January 23 at 9am UTC.Lets not beat around the bush: Clash of Dancing Lions looks an awful lot like Overwatchs long-running summer event, Lcioball. The standard version of both modes sees players compete in 3v3 soccer matches with a few unique twists that capitalize on their heroes abilities. Both obviously rip elements from Psyonixs massively popular Rocket League, though, and it looks like the Marvel take on the blown-up soccer experience comes with a few differences, too.PlayIGN'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".000/250For starters, the limited-time mode seems to focus on at least three characters Star-Lord, Iron Fist, and Black Widow instead of just one hero. The soccer ball also seems to be the size of your average, real-life ball, too, as players can be seen carrying it around the competition and to the goal. Marvel Rivals and Overwatch already share more than a few things in common, but it will be hard to say just how similar Clash of Dancing Lions and Lcioball are until the Marvel event drops in a few days.The Marvel Rivals Spring Festival event allows players to complete tasks for rewards, including the Star-Lord Lions Mane costume seen in the trailer. Additional details remain under wraps, but NetEase tells players that theyll be able to earn other goodies, such as a nameplate, spray, and more, as part of the event. While the Iron Fist Lions Gaze and Black Widow Lions Heartbeat outfits were also shown off in the new video, the developers only tell fans to expect to see the three skins arrive in-game in the coming weeks.In other Marvel Rivals news, players are still looking forward to the Marvels Spider-Man tie-in skin set to arrive later this month. Meanwhile, many community members are still discussing the projects alleged bot problem and what it could mean for the future of the competitive Marvel video game. For more on NetEases popular hero shooter, you can check out all active Marvel Rivals codes here.Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP.Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Planeswalkers, start your engines! Wizards of the Coast is gearing up for its first new set release of the year with the racing-centric Aetherdriftreleasing on February 14which is currently up for preorder on Amazon, Best Buy, and at your local game store! Recently, Wizards held a preview showcasing a variety of new cards that highlight Aetherdrifts mechanics and the racing teams participating in this planar-spanning event. Aetherdrift is the first new set release after Wizards major announcement late last year, indicating that new sets would be split between MTG originals and Universes Beyond releases. This new set takes Wizards of the Coast's legendary card game into uncharted territorythe world of professional racing.Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Finish Line Bundle (2 Collector Boosters, 6 Play Boosters)$79.99 at Best BuyMagic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Play Booster Box (30 Play Boosters)$145.99 at Best BuyMagic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander Deck (Deck May Vary)$47.99 at Best BuyWizards of The Coast - Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander Deck - Living Energy$47.99 at Best BuyMagic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Sleeved Play Booster Pack (14 Magic Cards)Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Omega Collector Box (15 Magic Cards)Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Collector Booster Box (12 Collector Boosters)Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Bundle (9 Play Boosters)As with any new Magic set, players will have new tools and mechanics to explore and build decks around. In Aetherdrift, these come in the form of Speed and Exhaust. First to the starting line is Speed, a new resource that players can accumulate when they play a card with Start your engines! which sets your speed value at 1. Players can then increase their speed value once on their turn when they deal damage (combat or non-combat) to an opponent up to a maximum speed of 4. By reaching max speed, these cards will gain additional effects, but perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Speed is that, according to Wizards, once you gain it, it wont decrease and you cant lose it. While it takes at least three turns to reach max speed, getting a card with Start your engines! onto the battlefield as early as possible will be crucial. Additionally, while no specific cards were revealed, Wizards mentioned that some cards gain effects at different speed levels, not just max speed.A good example is the new card Far Fortune, End Boss, which deals one damage to each opponent whenever you attack. However, if you are at max speed, it gains an additional ability: If a source you control would deal damage to an opponent or a permanent an opponent controls, it deals that much damage plus 1 instead. Since Aetherdrift features many artifact vehicles, Mendicant Core, Guidelight might inspire some deck ideas. Its max speed ability reads: Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you may pay {1} (colorless). If you do, copy it (the copy becomes a token). I can already think of a few artifact decks that could benefit from a card like that.Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Preview - Key ArtNext up is Exhaust, which is more straightforward but arguably more powerful. These one-time-use mana abilities compensate for their limited use with incredible versatility and game-changing effects. One of the previewed cards, Redshift, Rocketeer Chief, has the Exhaust ability: {R}{G} and {10}: Put any number of permanent cards from your hand onto the battlefield. Its default ability allows you to tap it to add X mana of any single color, where X is equal to its power. Considering that green is known for boosting creature power, you could easily empty your hand onto the battlefield with little trouble.The real trick to maximizing the Exhaust mechanic will be in blink- or copy-heavy decks, allowing players to reuse these phenomenal abilities more than once. For example, recasting your commander with Exhaust or bouncing a card back to your hand will let you activate the ability again. Equipping an Exhaust creature with Helm of the Host, which creates copies with fresh uses of their abilities, could also lead to some truly devastating plays. However you approach it, I foresee plenty of headaches dealing with Exhaust in competitive games.Aetherdrift sets itself apart from other original Magic sets with its unique art style and theme. Love it or hate it, the team has done a commendable job of making the setand its mechanicsfeel cohesive. Im eagerly anticipating the full list of spoilers so we can get a better idea of just how versatile and widespread the new Speed and Exhaust mechanics will be. Many decks will benefit from these abilities, but as with any new mechanic, it remains to be seen how much they will be incorporated into future releases. Sets like Bloomburrow, Duskmorne, and now Aetherdrift have redefined what an original Magic plane can be. While the racing aesthetic may seem odd or out of place to some players, for others, the bombastic visuals and vehicle-heavy theme might be exactly what draws them in. Aetherdrift releases on February 14because nothing says romance like a new MTG set. Scott White is a freelance contributor to IGN, assisting with tabletop games and guide coverage. Follow him on X/Twitter or Bluesky.

Nothing is of its own explanation, Adrien Brodys Lzl Tth muses in The Brutalist when asked why he became an architect. Its a cryptic comment, but Tth gives a slightly fuller context when he adds, Is there a better description of a cube than that of its construction? There was a war on, and yet it is my understanding that many of [my buildings] remain there, still in the city my buildings were devised to endure such erosion.It is safe to say director and co-writer Brady Corbet feels some affinity with Tth given the monumental nature of The Brutalist, a film that relies very much on the old ways of film constructionbe it with VistaVision cinematography or a roadshow-like storytelling format, complete with an intermission. And yet, it is the newest tool Corbet utilized which is putting the movie in a spot of controversy on the eve of Oscar voting particularly in an industry where artificial intelligence has become a dirty word.After The Brutalists editor Dvid Jancs revealed AI was used to enhance certain elements of the performances of Brody and co-star Felicity Jones during post-production, Corbet (and presumably The Brutalists studio A24) felt the need to release a statement clarifying how an artificial voice generator app called Respeecher was discreetly employed.Adrien and Felicitys performances are completely their own, Corbet said in a statement to the press. They worked for months with dialect coach Tanera Marshall to perfect their accents. Innovative Respeecher technology was used in Hungarian language dialogue editing only, specifically to refine certain vowels and letters for accuracy. No English language was changed. This was a manual process, done by our sound team and Respeecher in post-production. The aim was to preserve the authenticity of Adrien and Felicitys performances in another language, not to replace or alter them and done with the utmost respect for the craft.The press statement feels like a clarification on Jancss previous comments to Red Shark News, where the Hungarian editor praised Brody and Jones performances and accents, but added they wanted to perfect [the dialogue in Hungarian] so that not even locals will spot any difference. The statement also feels like swift damage control as the Oscar race appears poised to enter its homestretch, and The Brutalist is widely seen as a frontrunner, including by us, for a host of Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.Indeed, The Brutalist has been declared the best film of the year by a number of critics groups and voting organizations, including the Golden Globe Foundation, which awarded the movie Best Picture Drama. However, with the nominating ballots in, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is poised to finally announce the nominees on Thursday morning. In other words, this is a fairly inopportune moment for a narrative to emerge that could stumble a perceived frontrunner.Already social media is lit up with cinephiles and movie buffs who all seem to have a strong opinion, one way or the other, about whether the revelation about The Brutalist should be disqualifying, as one user with 14,000 likes on X put it. Another called it a disgrace when it was also revealed in Red Shark NewsThe Brutalist because the filmmakers didnt have the money or the time to shoot them. That tweet was also seen by over 400,000 users.It remains to be seen whether actual Academy voters and veterans of the industry will share the umbrage that social media does over even the slightest hint of AI, but there is no denying the controversy reveals a new battlefield in awards season. Just how much AI-enhancement is acceptable in either a performance or a film when evaluating artistic achievement? That the question is mostly being posed around The Brutalist also adds a layer of irony unto itself since one of its biggest Oscar rivals, Emilia Prez, has also been revealed to have used AI tool Respeecher in order to enhance the singing of Karla Sofia Gascn, whose eponymous character belted notes outside of Gascns natural vocal range in the musical.In terms of The Brutalist, however, the arising debate acts as a snapshot for an industry at an obvious crossroads in terms of technologies and values. To date, critics have celebrated The Brutalist for its old-fashioned aesthetics and ambitionswith the film running at a dizzying 214 minutesas well as its ability to achieve that level of craft and sprawling scope on a budget of $10 million. Of course as even the films editor has conceded, with such limited resources new technologies like AI became useful in making ends meet.Even so, artificial intelligence remains a third rail in an industry that came to a halt for about six months in 2023 after actors and writers went on strike partially to extract guarantees from studios and streaming services that their work would not be replaced by AI. While compromises were made, AI remains an economic tool of the future. But how much creatives who view it as an existential threat might be willing to see it that wayparticularly creatives within the industryis yet to be determined.The Brutalist was not the first film of 2024 to use AI in the margins of post-production. An even lower-budgeted indie, Late Night with the Devil, utilized AI to create some of the title cards seen on the fictional late night TV show at the center of that film. Meanwhile venerated auteur George Miller much more remarkably used the technology to blend the facial features of stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne when the latter played Taylor-Joy as a child. Do the enchantments take away from Brownes impressive performance or the power of the movie?Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!We imagine these debates will continue to be negotiated in the industry for years to come, and The Brutalists Oscar campaign might become one of the most visible flashpoints for that discussion, if for no other reason than the film is perhaps more vulnerable than previous Oscar frontrunners like Oppenheimer and Everything Everywhere All at Once.The Screen Actors Guild shockingly snubbed The Brutalist a nomination in their equivalent of the Best Picture category, the Outstanding Performance by a Cast award. It would seem the film is vulnerable with some types of voters, including actors who if the striking SAG rank and file are any indication, might be reticent about awarding what they perceive to be an acceptance of AI in the larger industry.With that said, we still would peg The Brutalist as the frontrunner in Picture and Director, and Brody the frontrunner for Best Actor. And whether they win or lose, we suspect Corbet has an eye on the films longevity lasting past Oscar night. Like Lzls buildings, this is a work meant to withstand the erosion of humanitys cyclical upheavals and conflicts. That includes awards season PR hit jobs.

For many, the 1980s was a golden age of entertainment, music, and most of all movies, with its cultural impacts reverberating to this day. In 1982, Conan the Barbarian hit the big screen and was destined to become a classic. It was one of those movies where the story, character, and choice of actor all complemented one another perfectly.The original story of Conan dates back decades prior to the film, and in many ways pioneered the fantasy genre and inspired countless future sword and sorcery heroes. Conan lived in a barbaric age where his village, including his mother and father, were massacred by a cult leader and his army of raiders. This led Conan on the path to become a powerful warrior, a barbarian set on a quest for adventure and vengeance.Developing guest fighters for Mortal Kombat 1 is an honor, and one of the more enjoyable aspects is the opportunity to revisit a characters lore and look for ways to weave in their most memorable moments into a gameplay experience. It should be no surprise that Conans fighting style was developed around his mastery with a sword, but also some of his more colorful barbaric behaviors.For instance, we designed a special move around a notable exchange the character had with a camel in the Conan the Destroyer (1984) film. In one scene, Conan is walking through town drunk when he punches a camel in the face for no real reason. As it turns out, this particular camel has a good memory, so when it sees Conan again riding through town, the camel takes revenge and spits all over him. This leads to the camel getting bopped on the head yet again and the moment itself finding a special place among other attacks in Conans arsenal in Mortal Kombat 1.Drawing references from the films was a general theme throughout the design and development process. Part of that equation was looking at the most compelling and memorable sequences for opportunities to incorporate those references in meaningful ways. Often certain actions stick in our heads and ultimately get translated into the gameplay experience. Notably, there is a scene with a massive cauldron of boiling body parts that we gravitated towards as we planned his Fatality.Conan the Barbarian in Mortal Kombat 1 is designed around an arsenal of heavy sword attacks, along with his physique being a focal point, so it was important for us to visually convey his strength and power in ways that set him apart from other characters. This meant we needed to account for the sheer size of his muscles, while adding complexity to the way his body moves and flexes as he attacks.In true barbarian fashion, Conan has rush down playstyle and excels at shutting down his opponents options. He has several special moves that allow him to rush in and utilize a range of sword strikes. Instead of a traditional projectile option like most characters, Conan being the barbarian that he is, hurls his Kameo teammate across the screen as a projectile, potentially also destroying an opponents incoming projectile. Additionally, I think one of the more exciting special moves he has in his arsenal is the ability to resurrect after being killed. Reminiscent from the film, Conan can come back to life in the final round and regain a small amount of health effectively acting as a second wind.We know Crom would be pleased with the addition of Conan the Barbarian to the Mortal Kombat 1 roster. The opportunity to crush your enemies and see them driven before you is at hand and we couldnt be happier. Conan the Barbarian is available now as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion owners on Xbox Series X|S, followed by wide availability for purchase on January 28.Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns KollectionWarner Bros. Games411$89.99Get it nowNew to Mortal Kombat 1? Get started with the Kollection Edition! Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a New Era of the iconic franchise with a New fighting system, game modes, and fatalities. Includes instant access to the Base Game, Kombat Pack, and Dragon Krystals. Gain access to the upcoming Story Expansion, Kombat Pack 2 and more!Khaos Reigns Story ExpansionKombat Pack 2*Khaos Reigns Fighters Available At Launch:Noob SaibotCyraxSektorGuest Fighters Available Post-Launch (includes 1 week early access)Ghostface (Scream Franchise)T-1000 (Terminator 2)Conan the BarbarianKombat Pack (Available Now):Omni-Man (Invincible)Quan ChiPeacemaker (DCs Peacemaker)ErmacHomelander (The Boys)Takeda TakahashiKameo Fighters (Available Now):TremorKhameleonJanet CageMavadoFerraJean-Claude Van Damme Skin for Johnny Cage (Available Now)1250 Dragon Krystals (Available Now)*Separate Kombat Pack 2 character bundle not available

My extravagance is my garden, It's the first thing I look at every morning when I wake up Ina Garten told Vanity Fair in 2010. In todays fast-paced, screen-obsessed world, carving out a dedicated outdoor living space has become more than just a luxuryit's a necessity. Whether it's a small balcony, an urban rooftop garden, or a sprawling country landscape, having a personal retreat outdoors allows for moments of reconnection with nature and social gatherings. What, then, does 2025 hold for our outdoor spaces? With summer just around the corner, outdoor living spaces are becoming more than just an extension of the homethey're a true reflection of our lifestyle and design sensibilities. This year, were looking to other cultures for cues on how to live graciously, which means were swapping out our hot tubs for cold plunge pools and going all in on our outdoor kitchen game. Were also considering climate in our builds, reimagining the wicker aesthetic, and embracing rooftop living in more sustainable ways (read: green roofs). "We value time with family and friends, living in our landscapesdining alfresco, cooking together, strolling through meadows, watching butterflies collecting nectar with our kids," says landscape architect Ed Hollander. "All of this provides the magic that makes life better."Whether you're revamping your backyard or simply looking for inspiration, here are six outdoor living trends that will define porches and patios everywhere this year. Get ready to elevate your outdoor space to a whole new level of easy living. Wicker 2.0Bjorn WallanderOn the porch of this spectacular beach house, a wicker bench is given a paint refresh, alongside a similarly vibrant potted bougainvillea. The wicker furniture trend is booming at the moment, and its not hard to see why. Wicker and rattan have always had a place in the halls of outdoor patio moments (great-grandma had a floral-upholstered rattan chair before Serena & Lily had its first sale). This classic design item, however, is being reinterpreted in new ways that are catching peoples eyes. Blond wickers in outdoor furniture are lightening and freshening where things were mostly dark grey tones or brown, making it more interchangeable with old fashioned blond indoor wicker and rattans, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Celerie Kemble says. Also, shapes are softer, playing into the curved sofa trend, and often flaunt soft waves and scallops."My clients expect their outdoor furniture to have character and to be as comfortable as their indoor furniture."Kemble says shes excited to see new outdoor furniture pieces that are going beyond the standard design plays. Pieces that play with the positive and negative elements of trellises but in shapes that are less straight geometry and more interesting, she adds. Take, for instance, her Tracery collection from LaneVenture, a delightfully interesting feast for the eyes. Now my clients expect their outdoor furniture to have character and to be as comfortable as their indoor furniture, Kemble says. No more hard flat teak or soggy thin cushions and simple right angles. Cold Plunge Pools Yoshihiro MakinoThis home in Montecito, California features a pool configuration similar to many cold plunge pools, with a small cold plunge pool just off the larger pool. Historically, all one needed to unwind was a relaxing hot bubble bathor, if youre lucky, a dip in the backyard hot tub or pool. Today, however, backyard enthusiasts are taking cues from European wellness traditions, building cold plunge pools and saunas. Fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements touting these invigorating amenities as a way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation (were looking at you, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, and David Beckham), cold plunge tubs will be a fixture of many backyards in 2025. The share of listings on Zillow that feature an at-home cold plunge pool is up 130% compared to last year, according to Zillows 2025 trend report. Zillow data found that these icy tubs are showing up most frequently in markets like Stamford, Connecticut; Las Vegas; and Los Angeles. Most often, they are a part of homes listed as luxury properties (a cold plunge pool with wiring and plumbing fixtures can cost around $30,000 to install), but there are portable cold tub options that DIY-ers are making their own in smart and budget-friendly ways. Who needs to go to Iceland anymore?The Outdoor Kitchen 2.0Undine PrhlIn this house on Mexicos Pacific Coast, an outdoor kitchen features open shelves and backsplash clad in Portuguese tiles, an Allia sink from Rohl, and handmade Mexican glassware. Next to the kitchen island, a butcher block sits on a volcanic stone base.In 2025, no longer are we content with a simple grill set up. Homeowners of today are looking for backyard kitchen setups that rival their indoor kitchens, complete with luxury appliances like pizza ovens, steam ovens, and sleek stainless steel grilling setups. Zillow research in 2023 found that listings touting chef-friendly amenities, such as steam ovens, pizza ovens and professional-grade appliances, can sell for as much as 5.3% more than similar homes without them. The trend for having your own pizza oven is hot, with pizza ovens are still blowing up, ranging from portable ovens like the Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven to restaurant-worthy appliances like the Dome oven. Americans are also spending thousands of dollars to create luxury grilling-and-chilling setups that facilitate this unique cooking technique that involves slow-cooking meat over a wood fire, which creates a deliciously smoky flavor and tender meat. Argentinian grills are being requested more and more in residential projects, says Nick Fobes, partner at Chicago L.A., and Kansas City-based landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt. "Outdoor cooking and entertaining have taken center stage, with as much attention on the backyard as the kitchen," he explains. "These grills elevate the experience, combining high functionality with a dramatic flair thats hard to resist."Green RoofsJoshua McHughThis dreamy rooftop terrace, designed by Hollander Design, incorporates evergreen elements that will keep the colorful garden fresh year-round.Urbanites, consider this. While green roofs are very widespread in Europe, they are becoming increasingly popular in modern home extensions in the U.S. The green roof market in the states, valued at $1.9 billion in 2023 is poised to grow from $2.21 billion in 2024 to $7.32 billion by 2032, eCommerce marketing agency Skyquest found in a report. Major cities in North America, such as Chicago, Portland, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., have added a large number of green roofs in recent years, Kendall Elfstrum writes in a brief for the Princeton Student Climate Initiative. Sustainability experts everywhere are rejoicing, as these rooftop additions are known to improve air quality, help lower heating and cooling costs, absorb rainwater, and provide a habitat for wildlife, among other benefits. In fact, the broader benefits are so great that some cities are offering tax incentives for homeowners with green roofs. Of course, the aesthetic benefits provide their own reasons to implement this trending home addition. Having a rooftop garden is a luxury for urban dwellers who have less access to green space and just might possibly be losing their minds some days (this editor is speaking from experience). Where we can, and its possible, we believe that enlivening our interiors through access to nature is always beneficial, says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Leyden Lewis. Even if that means vertical escapes. Climate-Resilient Features Yoshihiro MakinoDesigner Jamie Bush designed a fire-resistant home in Montecito, California.With climate-related disasters becoming more frequentand in the wake of a catastrophic wave of fires in Los Angeles, which have scorched more than 12,000 structureshome sellers are highlighting features that offer some degree of protection, and buyers are seeking them out. Zillow research finds that 86% of recent home buyers say its very important that a home have at least one climate-resilient feature. The report found that the share of for-sale listings on Zillow that mention flood barriers is up 22% compared to last year, seismic retrofitting is up 20%, and references to water catchment systems are up 19%. Drought-resistant turf yards are showing up 14% more often compared to a year ago. With all the environmental concerns in the world today, outdoor spaces are indeed being focused on in new ways, Lewis says. They never really went away, just reprioritized.Wherever you live and whatever natural disasters your forever home is prone to, security, it seems, is fast becoming the ultimate luxury. Rachel SilvaAssociate Digital EditorRachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publications feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.

iOS 18.3 is launching soon, as todays RC beta confirms. Alongside updates to notification summaries, the release will also automatically enable Apple Intelligence for iPhone users, and the Mac and iPad will follow suit.Apple Intelligence becomes opt-out in iOS 18.3Up until now, Apple Intelligence has been an opt-in set of features for users.When installing iOS 18.1 or 18.2, users would be asked if they wanted to enable the AI upgrades, and only after confirming would the features become available.But in iOS 18.3, thats going to change.Per Apples just-published beta release notes, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS 15.3 will all automatically enable Apple Intelligence upon installation.Here are the official details on the change:For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding. Users will have access to Apple Intelligence features after setting up their devices. To disable Apple Intelligence, users will need to navigate to the Apple Intelligence & Siri Settings pane and turn off the Apple Intelligence toggle. This will disable Apple Intelligence features on their device.Similar notes are included for the iPadOS and macOS updates.Change follows months of public Apple Intelligence availabilityFor users with a supported AI device, the vast majority have likely already enabled Apple Intelligence.However, for those who havent yet, Apple is going to flip the switch on those AI features when the update arrives.Whats unclear is what will happen for users who at one point enabled Apple Intelligence, then later decided to disable it in Settings.Hopefully, iOS 18.3 and its companion updates wont re-enable the features, but well have to wait and see what happens after the public release arrives.iOS 18.3 is overall a feature-light release, but notably it does include several changes to AI notification summariesthe most controversial AI feature so far.It seems that Apple feels like, with those changes, and a couple months with Apple Intelligence available publicly, now is the right time to activate its AI features by default.What do you think about this change? Is it surprising at all? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 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

Apple released the RC (release candidate) beta for macOS Sequoia 15.3 earlier today. As such, we now have access to the full release notes for the update.macOS Sequoia 15.3: Apples full release notesThis update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.Genmoji creation in Messages and other appsCalculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign againEasily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon)Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.When to expect macOS 15.3s launchNow that macOS 15.3 has received its RC beta, the full public launch will likely take place within about a week.Its always possible Apple will ship a new RC later this week with additional bug fixes and improvements. However, we should still see the public launch of 15.3 happen around the start of next weekperhaps Monday, January 27.Its one of the smaller macOS updates of late, but still brings some nice improvements, especially with Genmoji now arriving on the Mac.Are you looking forward to using macOS 15.3? Let us know in the comments.Best Mac accessoriesAdd 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

Mere hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, returning President Donald Trump got to work signing dozens and counting of executive orders, which range from commands for the US to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization to ordering an end to birthright citizenship and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."But while the executive actions range in scope, legal experts have called attention to some curious common threads: bizarre typos, formatting errors and oddities, and stilted language familiar artifacts that have led to speculation that those who penned them might have turned to AI for help."Lots of reporting suggested that, this time around, Trump and his lawyers would avoid the sloppy legal work that plagued his first administration so they'd fare better in the courts," Slatejournalist and legal expert Mark Joseph Stern remarked last night in a Bluesky post. "I see no evidence of that in this round of executive orders.""This is poor, slipshod work," he added, before alleging that the actions were "obviously assisted by AI."In another post, Stern pointed to a deeplyquestionable section of an executive action titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," which details how the US will take advantage of the state's "untapped supply of natural resources," in part by drilling for fossil fuels in regions of previously-protected natural land.In that section, the order includes a numbered list of several distinct Public Land Orders to be reinstated. Each land order, however, is listed next to the number one an apparent slip-up, we should point out, that we've noticed on seemingly AI-generated content in the past.Stern wasn't the only legal expert to question whether AI was used to help churn out executive actions.In another post to Bluesky yesterday, the Houston-based appellate lawyer Raffi Melkonian called attention to a section of another new executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness" that declares a rebrand of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.Though the section isn't smattered with grammatical or formatting errors, its formulaic language does invoke a certain grade school-level "Answer Sandwich" sensibility that generative AI-powered chatbots are known for."The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies," reads the order. "The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities.""The Gulf of America part," Melkonian, for his part, alleged in his post, "was absolutely written by AI.""I struggle to believe," agreed Stern, responding to Melkonian, "that a human, let alone a lawyer, wrote this 7th-grade book report-style description of the Gulf." (Indeed, when we asked ChatGPT for a "description of the importance of the Gulf of Mexico," it hit almost all the same notes.)Other orders feature questionable errors and structural choices. The order to withdraw America from the WHO, for instance, includes some inexplicably bolded punctuation, while others, like one effectively withdrawing the US from a global corporate tax deal, fail to maintain uniform formatting standards throughout. And as Stern pointed out, certain grammatical or formatting errors the latter perhaps worsened by poor copy-paste jobs could lead to trouble down the line for the Trump Administration's attempts at enforcement."The weird typos and formatting errors could lead to confusion down the road," Stern wrote of the bungled numbered list. "If the Secretary of the Interior invoked his authority under Section XV(1) of this order, which of the 6 different subsections labeled 1 would[he] mean? And which number controls when a subsection has two different ones?"Needless to say, this is all speculation. But it is based on experts' understandings of what normal executive orders should look like from a legal perspective. We reached out to the White House to inquire about the possible use of AI to draft executive actions, but haven't heard back.Do you know anything about the White House's use of AI? Email us at tips@futurism.comAs New York Magazine's John Herrman observed last year, the question of whether a piece of content let alone legal directives might be AI-produced is increasingly a question of quality. In a murky digital world, it's often hard to tell: is what I'm looking at AI-generated? Or is just poorly executed human work?"In the tech world, for now, AI's brand could not be stronger: It's associated with opportunity, potential, growth, and excitement," wrote Herrman. "For everyone else, its becoming interchangeable with things that sort of suck."To that end, is it possible that the Trump administration's newly-signed executive orders were all crafted by humans, sans AI? Sure. Either way, though, the initial expert reviews of the executive actions are in and according to those, they're weird and sloppy. And even if they're not AI, they feellike AI. For a forthcoming presidential administration, that's not a great place to be.More on Trump's past few days: The Vast Majority of Trump's Net Worth Is Now in His Meme CoinShare This Article