#59: The Agentic AI Era, Smolagents, and a Gatekeeper Agent Prototype 0 like January 23, 2025Share this postAuthor(s): Towards AI Editorial Team Originally published on Towards AI. Good morning, AI enthusiasts! As you already know, we recently launched our 8-hour Generative AI Primer course, a programming language-agnostic 1-day LLM Bootcamp designed for developers like you.We also have a special discount for our community members (yes, thats you!). Use code towardsai_8hour to get 15% off on the course. So dont wait, learn to make the most of LLMs before the next big AI update drops. Start here!As always, we have practical tutorials, collaboration opportunities, a fun prototype from the community, and a lot more!P.S. If you are already interested in our LLM developer course, use the code towardsai_8hour on our bundle offering, which includes this new course and our more in-depth companion course, From Beginner to Advanced LLM Developer. Check out the bundle offering here!Whats AI WeeklyThis week in Whats AI, Im diving into the world of APIs what they are, why you might need one, and what deployment options are available. When we talk about building powerful machine learning solutions, like large language models or retrieval-augmented generation, one key element that often flies under the radar is how to connect all the data and models and deploy them in a real product. This is where APIs come in. Read the complete article here or watch the video on YouTube! Louis-Franois Bouchard, Towards AI Co-founder & Head of CommunityLearn AI Together Community section!Featured Community post from the DiscordMalus_aiiola has built an AI voice Gatekeeper agent that handles incoming calls for busy CEOs. In this video, he breaks down how you can benefit from an AI voice Gatekeeper, which will answer for you and record the information of the caller. You can also get the blueprint and prompts to make it yourself. Reach out in the thread if you want to build something like this.AI poll of the week!Is Devin promising? Is it conceptually good, or do you see yourself adopting it? Tell us in the thread!Collaboration OpportunitiesThe Learn AI Together Discord community is flooding with collaboration opportunities. If you are excited to dive into applied AI, want a study partner, or even want to find a partner for your passion project, join the collaboration channel! Keep an eye on this section, too we share cool opportunities every week!1. Mr_oxo is looking for people to collaborate with on Computer Vision projects as accountability partners and problem-solving buddies. If youre passionate about computer vision and want to level up your skills while working on projects, connect in the thread!2. Pulkitplays is building a Next Ball Score Prediction Model and needs a project partner to solve the problem statement. If this sounds interesting, reach out in the thread!Meme of the week!Meme shared by rucha8062TAI Curated sectionArticle of the weekGraph Neural Networks: Unlocking the Power of Relationships in Predictions By Shenggang LiThis article explores Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), focusing on their ability to analyze connected data. It explains how GNNs interpret nodes and edges, using examples like cities connected by roads. The article then delves into three GNN types: Convolutional GNNs for economic forecasting, Graph Attention Networks for feature selection, and Temporal GNNs for stock prediction. Code examples and results demonstrate each GNNs application, including predicting economic indicators, identifying key dataset features, and forecasting stock trends. It highlights GNNs broader potential across diverse fields like healthcare, traffic management, and information retrieval with LLMs.Our must-read articles1. Smolagents + Web Scraper + DeepSeek V3 Python = Powerful AI Research Agent By Gao Dalie ()This article provides a tutorial on creating a multi-agent chatbot using Smolagents, a Python library for building AI agents, combined with web scraping and the DeepSeek V3 language model. The author highlights Smolagents simplicity, requiring minimal code to create agents capable of complex tasks, including Agent-Retrieval-Generation systems. The DeepSeek V3 model was chosen for its cost-effectiveness and performance, which are comparable to GPT-4 and Claude. It concludes by emphasizing Smolagents efficiency and ease of use for developing sophisticated AI agents.2. Building an On-Premise Document Intelligence Stack with Docling, Ollama, Phi-4 | ExtractThinker By Jlio AlmeidaThis article details building an on-premise document intelligence solution using open-source tools. It addresses the data privacy concerns of financial institutions by leveraging local language models (LLMs) like Phi-4 via Ollama, combined with ExtractThinker for orchestrating document processing and Docling/MarkItDown for handling document loading and OCR. It guides readers through choosing appropriate LLMs (text vs. vision-based), document parsing libraries, and local deployment solutions. It also provides strategies for managing limited context windows in local models, including lazy splitting for large documents and pagination for partial responses. Code examples demonstrate integrating these components for a complete document extraction pipeline, offering a secure and compliant solution for sensitive data processing. Finally, it discusses PII masking for cloud-based LLM usage when local deployment isnt feasible.3. Building Multimodal RAG Application #8: Putting it All Together! Building Multimodal RAG Application By Youssef HosniThis article presents a comprehensive guide to building a multimodal Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) application, culminating the eight-part series. It integrates modules for preprocessing multimodal data, retrieving information using a LanceDB vector store, and generating responses with Large Vision Language Models (LVLMs) via a PredictionGuard client. It details setting up the environment, processing data (including image-text embedding), building the retrieval module, implementing LVLM inference, and processing prompts. Finally, it demonstrates combining these modules into a functional multimodal RAG system using LangChain, enabling complex queries against diverse data types like text and video.4. The Agentic AI Era: A Primer By Kaush BThis article provides a primer on the Agentic AI Era, exploring the evolution of AI from automation tools to autonomous agents. It defines AI agents, categorizing them by type and architectural topology, and outlines their characteristics and developmental stages within an enterprise context. It details various agentic workflows, including prompt chaining, routing, parallelization, orchestrator-workers, and evaluator-optimizer models. It also discusses four key agentic design patterns: reflection, tool use, planning, and multi-agent collaboration. Practical implementation guidelines, technical risks, and mitigation strategies are also addressed. It concludes by emphasizing the transformative potential of agentic AI while acknowledging the ethical and societal challenges that require careful consideration for responsible deployment.If you are interested in publishing with Towards AI, check our guidelines and sign up. We will publish your work to our network if it meets our editorial policies and standards.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

During today's Xbox Developer Direct, we got another look at upcoming Xbox RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 along with a release date of April 24, 2025.In a new trailer, we got more info on the game's story, which we're told doesn't focus on good vs. evil. Rather it focuses on a group of complicated, messy people who all are brought together to defeat that which is a threat to all of them. There's a focus on the relationship between the characters, and while it can get introspective, there are also NPCs whose stories and mechanics are somewhat lighter. 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".000/250As we've seen in past trailers, the UI and battle menus are exceptionally stylish, channeling Persona a bit in their big energy. The world itself is inspired by French art deco style, with art director Nicohlas Maxson-Francombe explaining in a recent Xbox Wire post that he wanted to avoid doing the same kinds of environments he's seen a million times before. "I just wanted to get out of the stuff that weve just seen a million times, science fiction, to space, or zombies, all that kind of stuff. I just wanted to get my head out of there and see what I can try to come up with that was original for me personally."And we also got a look at unique character mechanics and customization via skill tree in the trailer, and what seems to be a massive colletion of possible equippable passive effects. There are far more details in the same Xbox Wire post about the combat system and some of the characters' specific moves.It was also revealed that Clair Obscur will follow in the steps of old-school RPGs and have an actual, navigable world map from which you can access various areas and towns. The world map will also include secrets and even hidden bosses.PlayClair Obscur was first announced last summer at the Xbox Games Showcase from Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive and came as a complete surprise to most. It takes place in a world where an entity known as the Paintress "repaints" the world each year, during which time she also paints a cursed number on a monolith that causes everyone of that age and older to turn to smoke instantly and disappear. Every year, that number ticks down by one, with younger and younger generations dying each time. With the number "33" up next, a group of individuals led by a man named Gustave sets out to try and stop the Paintress once and for all in a turn-based RPG with incredibly stylish battles and real-time elements.You can catch up on everything shown in today's Xbox Developer Direct right here.Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

During today's Xbox Developer Director, we saw a new trailer for South of Midnight complete with a release date of April 3, 2025 for those who purchase the premium edition, and April 8, 2025 for everyone else.South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure game set in a fantastical version of the American Deep South. In the trailer, we saw a good look at main character Hazel's powers, which blend the traditional craft of weaving with magic to allow her to fight, conjure things, and overcome environmental obstacles. As she fights, Hazel "unravels" enemies to destroy them in action combat, and has some elements of customization in her fighting style that can help her counter different types of enemies.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".000/250Hazel's story starts with a massive hurricane that seemingly kills her mother, but also gives her the ability to see a magic world beyond the real one that gives her hope her mother might still be alive. As she hunts for her, Hazel will visit different different regions ruled by magical creatures, each one with a different Southern Gothic history that she'll need to heal by collecting their fragmented memories. In the trailer, we got a look at several of these creatures, including a real big bird and a massive crocodile covered in spikes with giant trees going out of its back. A giant talking Catfish acts as a guide for Hazel as she awakens her new powers.South of Midnight was first announced at the Xbox Showcase in 2023 as a new game from We Happy Few developer Compulsion Games. It reappeared at the Xbox Showcase last year, and we got a hands-off look at it back in November. In an Xbox Wire post today, it's suggested the game will take between 10-12 hours to finish.You can catch up on everything shown in today's Xbox Developer Direct right here.Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel that transports the Doom Slayer back to a medieval setting full of demons to slaughter, was one of the best surprises from last Junes Xbox media briefing, a mix of absolute carnage and gritty style. In other words, a signature id experience, and yet another chance to iterate on the classic first-person shooter series. But as id tells Den of Geek during a press preview ahead of the games Developer Direct broadcast this week, this isnt just Doom Part 3 (or Doom 0, as we like to think of it) but an experience that provides a different way to slay those demons. id Software studio director Marty Stratton and creative director Hugo Martin have a clear analogy for how Dark Ages is meant to feel when compared to its vertical and pacey predecessor: in Doom Eternal, you were a fighter jet but in Dark Ages youre an iron tank. To put it another way, and in their words, Doom 2016 was about getting back to the run and gun roots of the series, while Eternal asked you to jump and shoot. In Dark Ages, you will stand and fight.This gameplay philosophy is certainly on display in the Developer Direct video, which shows off Dark Ages emphasis on brutal melee combat, as the Doom Slayer smashes his way through the demonic hordes with flail, gauntlet, and the new shield sawwhich he can use to not only block, parry, and deflect attacks but also to cut down his enemies. The hulking, ultra violent protagonist himself is heavily armored, built like the scariest linebacker youve ever seen on a field, and seems to shake the earth with every step. Stratton and Martin confirm this version of the Doom Slayer is meant to feel heavier, but thats not to say Dark Ages is meant to slow down the pacing of Doom. (In fact, a new menu of modifiers allows you to customize the experience to your liking, including by adjusting the game speed as well as damage against you, the parry window, etc.) The goal was to give players an experience that felt fresh while also sticking to the roots of the series. Its just got to be different, Martin says of making the Doom Slayer feel more like a tank. I just dont think as a game, I want to play the same thing. I want to play a Doom game. Dont change so much that its not Doom. This is how I think of it: I want to feel strong, theres got be a good amount of speed and exploration and power. But Im okay with you changing what that power fantasy is, especially if the change you make brings it back closer to that classic Doom.That was the goal, just innovation. Youre competing for gamers time, [who] want something new but familiar. [Dark Ages] is a fantasy world, but its our fantasy world. Youre the iron tank battling the forces of hell in this medieval war. Thats just something that sounds fun that Id like to do.When asked whether the tweaks to the gameplay were in any way a reaction to criticisms regarding the combat in past games, Martin explained that he always looks at the negative comments to see what people didnt like. For him, you learn more from the negative feedback sometimes, then you do the positive stuff.In 2016, it was that it was too repetitive. And then Eternal, some people said it was too hard, Martin says, although he thinks of the latter in a different way. I actually think that its too complex. The complexity of the control scheme led to unnecessary difficulties. You really want to be fighting the demons, the bad guys, not your controls.So, how does that translate to Doom: The Dark Ages?An ergonomic control scheme, fewer strings on the guitar, so to speak, was really the goal, something that felt intuitive, Martin explains. That way, when we do pressure the player, theyre not reaching for buttons that they arent familiar with.Thats why I say [in the Dev Direct] its a more grounded Slayer. More powerful and grounded over the acrobatics of Doom Eternal. Youll see when you play it that its really a return to form. It feels more like classic Doom than any game weve made up to this point.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!The changes to the feel and setting also perfectly fit the prequel story the team wanted to tell in Dark Ages. In fact, this is a game id has been thinking about for a lot longer than you might expect.We wanted to do it from the beginning when we started out rebooting the franchise, Martin reveals. Theres kind of a how-to book on creating IPs, established by great brands like Lord of the Rings and directors like George Lucas. Usually you want to create an interesting world give that world a history, and then you want to have heroes with an interesting past. If youre lucky enough and fans are happy with what you did, youll be fortunate enough to explore some of that past.The narrative approach has been revamped alongside the gameplay, with much more of the story being delivered through cutscenes than the more text-heavy Codex approach. It means Dark Ages, which begins with the Doom Slayer being imprisoned (if you can believe such a thing is possible), is overall designed to be a more cinematic experience than past games. Levels themselves are set on more expansive worlds that allow you to go off the beaten path and explore for resources, upgrades, and other secrets. Oh, and you can also traverse areas in the game while riding a giant cybernetic dragon. Not enough? You also get to pilot a mech called an Atlan, perfect for smashing kaiju-sized demons. There wasnt a lot of place to go after Eternal. You couldnt go higher, or more vertical, particularly once you got through the ancient gods, Stratton says of the updates to world design and traversal. Its like, whats new? How do we do something that will feel new and make this game stand on its own.It isnt all change, though. The team also looked back to classic Doom for ways to get Dark Ages closer to the roots of the series. The original Doom, why its stood the test of time, is its really one of the most accessible shooter, single-player campaigns ever made, Martin says. Thats not to say its easy, but its easy to get into. When it comes to combat, its really incredibly streamlined, and thats why its still fun to this day. Thats why I say [in the Dev Direct] its a more grounded Slayer. More powerful and grounded over the acrobatics of Doom Eternal. Youll see when you play it that its really a return to form. It feels more like classic Doom than any game weve made up to this point.According to Martin, the core essence of being aggressive is still there. After watching this latest preview, we wont argue there.Doom: The Dark Ages is out on May 15 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The Oscar nominations are in. Thankfully. After previous attempts to announce what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences deemed the greatest achievements in film this year were delayed due to the deadly and tragic wildfires ravaging Southern California, its a small mercy that something as trivialbut normalas Oscar nominations could resume.And this mornings nominations certainly came with their fair share of shocks and surprises, all of which you can read about here. Was Margaret Qualley overlooked for The Substance? Did Jeremy Strong deserve a nomination over Denzel Washington? All that is water under the bridge now. What remains is the nominees. Who should win and why?With the admitted caveat that this is absurdly early to speculate on, we decided to give you our reading of the race as of nomination morning and attempt to predict this far out who will win in the major categories. Well give our reasons and leave to you whether theyre worth heeding ahead of placing your own bets and predictions in the office pool. But going forward the movies and contributions we think will win will be bolded. The ones we think should win will be italicized. And theyll be both when the choices are one in the same.Best PictureAnoraThe BrutalistA Complete UnknownConclaveDune: Part TwoEmilia PrezIm Still HereNickel BoysWickedWeve been doing this for a while now, and to be honest Best Picture is usually one of the easier races to call in most years (like last year or the year before it). By this point, narratives have taken root after the festivals, the critics groups awards, and industry chatter. But frankly 2025 is so wide open that even this morning I had to reevaluate my theory that Conclave could be this years Spotlight (a consensus pick which benefits from the preferential voting ballot the Academy uses for BP).As it turns out, the love for Conclave might be a lot less fervent in an Academy that conspicuously snubbed Edward Berger for Best Director and the films immaculate cinematography, courtesy of Stphane Fontaine. But you know who did get into that category? Paul Guilhaume for Emilia Prez, a nod that added to the films massive 13-nomination haul. The industry love for Prez is visibly strong through all corners of the Academy, but is it stronger than the media backlash, particularly on apps like X and TikTok? To be sure, the frontrunner is still probably The Brutalist, a more elegant and epic achievement from director Brady Corbet.The Brutalist is impressive work. However, it is also brooding, pensive, and ultimately pessimistic about the American immigrant experience. While that might reflect the feelings of a lot of Academy members right now, historically the Academy prefers films that uplift their spirits over those that leave them beleaguered. It is one reason why perceived frontrunner The Power of the Dog lost to CODA in 2022 (and Power wasnt 3.5 hours). Conversely, Emilia Prez sends a message of hope wherein a trans woman becomes a better person after her transition, leaving behind a lifestyle of murder and pain as a Mexican drug cartel leadereven as she is not fully absolved of her past sins.There are plenty of reasons why Emilia Prez could still lose. No, not the social media hate. They also despised Green Book (which much more uncomfortably rewrote the life of Donald Shirley to fit its feel-good narrative). Furthermore, Emilia appeals to the international members of the Academy which are less concerned with American culture wars. But Emilia also is a Netflix release, and the Academy has adamantly refused to give the streaming service the Best Picture Oscar. But in such a wide open field as this, Netflix might have found its best opportunity to finally nab the top prize.Meanwhile, I personally much prefer the elegiac grace and groundbreaking innovations of RaMell Ross Nickel Boys. Anora is also a one-of-a-kind movie that skewers the classism of our current world without being alleged of appropriating culture.Best DirectorSean Baker, AnoraBrady Corbet, The BrutalistJames Mangold, A Complete UnknownJacques Audiard, Emilia PrezCoralie Fargeat, The SubstanceStrangely, despite all the equivocating and second-guessing on Best Picture, Best Director seems much more straightforward. Ultimately, the reason we hesitate to recognize The Brutalist fulfilling its frontrunner status in BP is because the movie is a downer, and the Academy has historically been reluctant to give too many of those their top prize. The serious subject matter of following Holocaust survivors could be viewed as an exception to that rule, but not when it follows them into an indictment of the American experience.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Yet giving such cynicism Best Director will be an easier asksimilar to Jane Campion, Alejandro Gonzlez Irritu for The Revenant, and Alfonso Cuarn for Roma all taking home this award while losing Best Picture. We also admit of this shortlist (where Ross and the equally monumental achievements of Denis Villeneuve are absent), Corbets audacity and vision is the one to probably reward. Though truth be told we still had a lot more fun with Coralie Fargeats mischievous rage in The Substance.Best ActorAdrien Brody, The BrutalistTimothe Chalamet, A Complete UnknownColman Domingo, Sing SingRalph Fiennes, ConclaveSebastian Stan, The ApprenticeAnother category where The Brutalist will likely shine brightest is Best Actor. There has admittedly been some negative press about the film using AI to enhance accent marks for when performers are speaking (occasionally) in Hungarian, but we suspect that bit of awards season campaign sniping and gossip will fall on deaf ears given how poignant Adrien Brody is in a film that romanticizes the American immigrant, if not the America which resists him.Still, personally, Colman Domingo gave the best male performance of the year as an inmate at Sing Sing prison who finds transcendence, and maybe even fleeting escape, through artistic expression.Best ActressCynthia Erivo, WickedKarla Sofa Gascn, Emilia PrezMikey Madison, AnoraDemi Moore, The SubstanceFernanda Torres, Im Still HereWhat a difference a single speech can make. A month ago, I wasnt sure Demi Moore would be nominated by virtue of starring in a horror movie (look at Qualleys snub). Yet after her powerful acceptance remarks at the Golden Globes, she went from on the bubble to the absolute frontrunner. Her turn in The Substance is the performance of her career, which as she noted had been dismissed and diminished over the years by men in the industry. That she now is nominated for playing a middle-aged woman who destroys her body in order to attract the male gaze will not be lost on Academy voters.We wont be upset to see Moore have her long overdue moment on the Oscar stage. But speaking purely unto the performances, there wasnt a better one this year in any category than Mikey Madisons ferocious creation in Anora. She brings the humor, defiance, and barely teased tragedy of a sex worker from Brooklyn to life in a film that is equal parts screwball comedy and emotional heart-wrencher.Best Supporting ActorYura Borisov, AnoraKieran Culkin, A Real PainEdward Norton, A Complete UnknownGuy Pearce, The BrutalistJeremy Strong, The ApprenticeJesse Eisenberg wrote the role of Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain for his friend Kieran Culkin, and in the process appears to have set Culkin up for an Oscar. It is a true actors showcase where Culkin employs his natural charisma to ingratiate the audience and also make them wince as the hurt and loneliness that humor can only cover up for so long.Best Supporting ActressMonica Barbaro, A Complete UnknownAriana Grande, WickedFelicity Jones, The BrutalistIsabella Rossellini, ConclaveZoe Saldaa, Emilia PrezIs it category fraud to nominate what is clearly a lead performance like Zoe Saldaas under the Best Supporting Actress umbrella? Absolutely. Does that change the fact she is going to win? Not anymore than it did for Viola Davis in Fences or Tatum ONeal in Paper Moon. And Saldaa really is wonderful in Emilia Prez, a fact even its harshest critics must begrudge. World-weary and beaten down by life, she exudes exhaustion and anxiety even while belting songs atop a hotel ballrooms glossy tables.Best Adapted ScreenplayJames Mangold and Jay Cocks, A Complete UnknownPeter Straughan, ConclaveJacques Audiard (in collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, La Mysius, and Nicolas Livecchi), Emilia PrezRaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, Nickel BoysClint Bentley and Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, and John Divine G Whitfield, Sing SingA category where Conclave might still get the recognition it deserves is here. With its taut and instantly immersive narrative making the intricacies and relics of the Vatican seem accessible and exciting, Peter Straughans scriptEmilia PrezBest Original ScreenplaySean Baker, AnoraBrady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, The BrutalistJesse Eisenberg, A Real PainMoritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, and Alex David, September 5Coralie Fargeat, The SubstanceOne of the most original and intriguing voices of his generation, Sean Baker has gone ignored by the Academy, even as he has won over other awards bodies like the Independent Spirits and Gothams. This might finally change with the warmth and delayed ratatat charm of his Anora screenplay. The Brutalist could still win this one too, but it shouldnt.Best Animated FeatureFlowInside Out 2Memoir of a SnailThe Wild RobotWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most FowlFour months ago, I would have sworn The Wild Robot had this locked up. Chris Sanders and DreamWorks Animations unique take on motherhood by way of synthetic intelligence and a baby gosling is still the animated film of the year that will stick with me most, but plenty of animators who work within the industry and Academy admire the independent ambition and achievement of Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis on Flow. Theyll likely put the animated mini-epic about a catand which was also nominated for Best International Featureover the top.Best International FeatureIm Still HereThe Girl With the NeedleEmilia PrezThe Seed of the Sacred FigFlowEmilia Prez is a darling across acting, directing, and the Academys various technical branches. Its Netflix status might be a hindrance for the top prize, but definitely not here. Even so, the tragedy and heartbreak in The Seed of the Sacred Fig feels a lot more authentic.Best CinematographyThe BrutalistDune: Part TwoEmilia PrezMariaNosferatuCinematographer Lol Crawley and Brady Corbet shot The Brutalist on antiquated VistaVision lenses from the 1950s in order to present it in a roadshow 70mm format. The nostalgia and tip of the hat to old timey Hollywood epics will probably win it this Oscar, though Greig Fraser did way more with a larger-scale format (and on an admittedly bigger budget) in Dune: Part Two. Both also pale when compared to the flawless shadows and precise camera movements in candlelight implemented by Jarin Blaschke on Nosferatu.Best Film EditingAnoraThe BrutalistConclaveEmilia PrezWickedAnother technical category where we suspect Emilia Prez will do well is Best Film Editing by virtue of how it balances the avant garde musical numbers with a kinetic pace. You never truthfully are certain where the movie is going. Among these, however, the best choice is Conclaves ability to mimic a thriller despite it never being much more than old men squabbling in gardens and courtyards. Still, the category itself feels a bit like a sham since the best achievements in film editing this yearChallengers and Dune: Part Twoare missing.Best Production DesignThe BrutalistConclaveDune: Part TwoNosferatuWickedA place to recognize the most popular movie of the year, Wickeds production designs are admittedly exquisite. But Nosferatu actually felt transportive into a different time and place.Best Costume DesignA Complete UnknownConclaveGladiator IINosferatuWickedIt is a bit arbitrary to pick between what were all sumptuous examples of worldbuilding by fabric in Wicked, Gladiator II, and Nosferatu. We know where the Academys tastes lie, but as a personal preference, Denzel Washington really got to rock the hell out of those robes.Best Makeup and HairstylingA Different ManEmilia PrezNosferatuThe SubstanceWickedDid you watch The Substance? Did you see the Monstro Elisa-Sue? Yeah, so did we. Hats off to you all, Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli.Best Original ScoreThe BrutalistConclaveWickedThe Wild RobotThe love theme between Lzl and Erzsbet is gorgeous and haunting in The Brutalist, but the perpetual tension of Volker Bertelmanns work on Conclave is cumulatively more satisfying. But to be candid, the absence of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and their invigoratingly fresh score for Challengers makes this category suspect.Best Visual EffectsAlien: RomulusBetter ManDune: Part TwoKingdom of the Planet of the ApesWickedDune: Part Two will and probably should win this award. However, given the first Dune won for similar sights, we wouldnt be upset if Wetas eerily convincing ability to make a talking chimp a pop star in Better Man somehow miraculously broke through.

During the latest Developer_Direct, we showed off tons of brand new gameplay and provided developer insights on four upcoming games launching for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Game Pass, and cloud and even surprise released a bonus remaster along the way.We visited the studios behind DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the never-before-seen NINJA GAIDEN 4 to get an inside look at new gameplay footage, as well as key information from each game, direct from the developers working on them. Plus, to celebrate the return of NINJA GAIDEN, we also announced that a remastered version of the beloved Xbox classic, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black will be available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass from today.In addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming, all the games in our show also support Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy them through the store on Xbox or Windows, theyre yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.Heres a summary of everything we announced and covered during Developer_Direct today:DOOM: The Dark Ages Launching May 15, 2025Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*The team at id Software shared a deep dive into DOOM: The Dark Ages and revealed that the cinematic, epic first-person shooter will launch on May 15, 2025.DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, is set in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOMs immediately recognizable hellish twist. In the segment, three core pillars of the game were explored: Combat, which dug into deadly new weapons of mass destruction the Slayer can wield; Exploration, which offered a glimpse at an incredible new medieval-inspired setting that will take players to never-before-seen dark and sinister realms; and Story, which gave an overview of the characters and stakes the Slayer will face in his journey to turn the tides of a war.This is the most ambitious DOOM game to date. id Software is seizing the chance to present both newcomers and long-time fans alike with an epic adventure as the super weapon in a medieval war against hell itself. Find out more about the game, with extra information from the developers in our Xbox Wire article.South of Midnight Launching April 8, 2025Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and play it day one with Game Pass*Compulsion Games took us behind the scenes at their studio in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, their new third-person action adventure game which releases on April 8, 2025.In Compulsions segment, we learned more about the journey of Hazel, the games protagonist, which leads her into a darkly magical world where she discovers her new abilities as a Weaver. Her story is filled with macabre Southern Gothic folklore and encounters with mythical larger-than-life creatures that shape her growth and understanding of her newfound powers.You can see more of South of Midnights hand-crafted art style, world building, and combat in South of Midnights new story trailer and get ready to explore the American Deep South with Hazel by pre-ordering today and play up to five days early with the South of Midnight Premium Edition. Find out more about the games story in our exclusive Xbox Wire article here.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Launching April 24, 2025Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass* (see developer website for other platforms)We visited Montpellier, France, home of Sandfall Interactive, as they develop their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th Century France, where the world is facing an existential threat, one year at a time. The developer shared a deeper look at the games innovative mechanics, such as the Reactive Turn-Based system, and the unique art direction that brings the games world to life. We even got a first look at Expedition 33s expansive overworld map.As the coup de grace, Sandfall Interactive confirmed the games release date: our journey to stop the Paintress begins April 24. For more on the teams creative vision and deep customization options, weve got more on Xbox Wire here.NINJA GAIDEN 4 Launching Fall 2025Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass*Team NINJA announced the return of a beloved franchise with the reveal ofNINJA GAIDEN4. After more than a decade, the masters of action at Team NINJA and PlatinumGames have partnered with Xbox Game Studios Publishing to bring us an exciting new chapter in the NINJA GAIDEN series, a series with a long history on Xbox.We were introduced to Yakumo, a new protagonistwhose objective lies at the heart of a devastated Tokyo. On his mission, Yakumo will not only encounter fiends and demons , but also the legendary master ninja himself: Ryu Hayabusa. Gameplay footage showed that Yakumo will introduce players to a stylish new take on ninja action with Bloodbind Ninjutsu, alongside legacy techniques like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop. Ryu will also return as a playable character with a revamped arsenal that stays true to his signature brutality and precision.During the segment, developers from both PlatinumGames and Team NINJA shared details about the games story, the setting in a near-future Tokyo, and its action-packed combat mechanics. We also got a glimpse into the creative process behind this highly anticipated title, which will be released in Fall 2025, and can be wishlisted on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5. For the latest information, follow Team Ninja on social media (YouTube, X,Facebook,Instagram). Check out an exclusive interview with the developers on Xbox Wire.NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Available Today!Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass*The highly-acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 returns graphically remastered! NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black features the high-speed ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.Looking AheadAs with every Developer_Direct, todays show marks just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. Next up is Avowed, Obsidian Entertainments upcoming fantasy RPG, which launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. With our own studios and incredible partners working on new experiences, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and Xbox social channels this year to see why theres never been a better time to be an Xbox player.*Game catalog varies by plan Xbox.com/gamepass.

SummaryDuring Xbox Developer Direct, id Software unveiled gameplay and lots of new information for DOOM: The Dark Ages.Three core pillars for the game were explored: Combat, Exploration and Story.DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15.Today, during Xbox Developer Direct, the id Software team took us inside the studio to get an in-depth look at DOOM: The Dark Ages, the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, and the most ambitious DOOM game to date.The segment gave us extended peeks into three of the titles core pillars: Combat, Exploration and Story. As the Slayer, youll be invited to explore a dark fantasy/sci-fi world with DOOMs immediately recognizable hellish twist, fighting your way across sprawling fantasy battlefields with an expanded arsenal of weapons and equipment.With DOOM: The Dark Ages, the team has taken the opportunity to reimagine every aspect of the DOOM experience to create an explosive new action adventure for both long-time fans and newcomers.CombatThe action in DOOM: The Dark Ages is a grounded experience focused on the sheer power that the Slayer wields devastating melee abilities, and the return of strafing, a classic DOOM manoeuvre. The team puts it best: In DOOM Eternal, you felt like a fighter jet, but in DOOM: The Dark Ages youll be an iron tank, ready to stand and fight. A loadout of new melee weapons, plus a brand-new melee skill tree means youll be able to get up close and personal to your demons and deliver some serious damage.During the show, we were introduced to the Shield Saw, packed with features to both block incoming fire, decapitate foes from afar, or traverse the environment. The segment also showed us a huge, spiked flail, an electric gauntlet built to pummel and paralyze incoming foes, and a fierce spiked mace; three new weapons that all come with their own combos and upgrade options.Its all about engagement; creating a loop or dance thats intuitive, innovative and loaded with depth fun on the outside smart on the inside, Game Director Hugo Martin says. An appealing power fantasy thats new but familiar who hasnt wanted to feel like an iron tank in the middle of a medieval war against hell?Obviously, DOOM is also all about the guns, and that trademark top-shelf shooting is here in abundance too. We saw a handful of the ranged weapons in action a hulking double-barrel shotgun packing a punch, a mean, energy-powered gun spewing paralysing shots, and, perhaps the most impressive a preposterous-looking machine gun that fashions high-speed rounds by breaking down actual skulls. Its an utterly menacing arsenal built to take on the biggest and baddest demons youve ever faced in a DOOM game.Bigger demons means bigger battles, and mech fans, rejoice youre in for an absolute treat. In DOOM: The Dark Ages, youll be able to pilot your own gigantic Atlan, a mech of gargantuan proportion built to take on baddies on a colossal scale. One clip in the segment looks like a kaiju movie, showing the Atlan throwing annihilating hits at a demon the size of a building its Dooms epic, brutal combat moments on a literally next level scale.If that wasnt enough, the team has also leaned more into the fantasy flair with another new weapon a giant cybernetic dragon complete with mounted gatling guns, able to swoop in from above and absolutely drill through anything standing in its way letting you hop on and take the fight to the skies. While DOOM: The Dark Ages internal motto has been Stand and Fight, this piece of equipment lets us mix it up with some fantasy style airborne combat, which looks extremely fun,Both the dragon and the Atlan come with their own suite of upgrades too, so as you use them, theyll actually get even more impressive and effective than they already are.ExplorationIn DOOM: The Dark Ages, were met with a mysterious world from the Slayers past, shrouded in dark forests and towering structures, alongside dangerous dungeons, and ancient battlefields. The setting blends DOOMs signature, recognizable hellscapes with a menacing medieval twist, and the juxtaposition of hi-tech weapons and cybernetically enhanced demons against this imposing fantasy backdrop is truly remarkable.Youll also be able to fully explore these levels with a level of freedom that has rarely been possible in a DOOM game. The levels in DOOM: The Dark Ages are less linear than previous instalments you have autonomy over which areas to explore and which objectives to pursue. Its a DOOM sandbox, your playground to cause carnage in whichever you want, and the biggest player space ever seen in DOOM.The Shield Saw we mentioned earlier also doubles up as a cool exploration tool you can use it to traverse across broken bridges, scale up ledges, smash through hidden paths, and crack into treasure troves nestled in every corner of the world. Exploration isnt just encouraged, its rewarded with loot, upgrades, and secrets.Its power through progression which leads to exploration, Hugo adds. Every critical item you need to dominate in Dark Ages is either held by your enemies or hidden in the world. Seek, discover, destroy!StoryThe id team is going big on narrative in DOOM: The Dark Ages, with aims to make the story and lore much more approachable, bringing deep story beats out of the codex and into incredible cutscenes for maximum impact. With the Slayer imprisoned at the start of our story the balance of power between good and evil is shifting and time is running out, Martin says. Our hero is a feared outsider among an imperilled people, his strength controlled by the gods they serve, in a world under siege by an ancient evil.The main plot is being kept under wraps for now, but the team shares that were expected to meet exciting new characters alongside old allies and of course, terrifying new villains. This story also leads right into the Slayers testaments in DOOM (2016), serving as something of an origin story for the two previous games. Its an action story worthy of the Slayers legend, and we cant wait to uncover it.The best part is that theres not too long to wait before you can become a medieval super weapon. DOOM: The Dark Ages launches May 15, for Xbox Series X|S, theDOOM: The Dark Ages Premium EditionBethesda Softworks$99.99Pre-orderGet a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Edition, including up to 2-Day Early Access* and the campaign DLC**. Youll also receive the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon and Atlan. Pre-order now to receive the Void DOOM Slayer Skin at launch.INCLUDES: Base Game (digital code) Up to 2-Day Early Access Campaign DLC Digital Artbook and Soundtrack Divinity Skin Pack*Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. **DLC availability to be provided at a later date.BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. A DOOM FOR ALL SLAYERS A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it's the perfect entry point whether youre new to the franchise or a long-time fan.REIGN IN HELL As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. THE ORIGIN OF YOUR RAGE Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage in this epic, cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.DOOM: The Dark AgesBethesda Softworks$69.99Pre-orderPre-order now to receive the Void DOOM Slayer Skin at launch.BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. A DOOM FOR ALL SLAYERS A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it's the perfect entry point whether youre new to the franchise or a long-time fan.REIGN IN HELL As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. THE ORIGIN OF YOUR RAGE Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage in this epic, cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium UpgradeBethesda Softworks$34.99Pre-orderGet a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Upgrade*, including up to 2-Day Early Access**, the campaign DLC***, Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon and Atlan. Pre-order now to receive the Void DOOM Slayer Skin at launch.INCLUDES: Up to 2-Day Early Access Campaign DLC Digital Artbook and Soundtrack Divinity Skin Pack*Base Game required (sold separately) **Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. ***DLC availability to be provided at a later date.BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.A DOOM FOR ALL SLAYERSA dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it's the perfect entry point whether youre new to the franchise or a long-time fan.REIGN IN HELLAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for.THE ORIGIN OF YOUR RAGE Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayers rage in this epic, cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMSIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.

Benjamin and Chance give their thoughts on Apples attempts to placate the BBCs complaints about notification summaries with iOS 18.3. Also, the rumored iPhone 17 Air design has a divisive camera bar on the back, and this week also saw an intriguing leak showing apparent design changes for the iOS 19 Camera app.And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance struggles to find new things to watch and much to Benjamins delight brings his own Apple TV app complaints to the table. Subscribe at9to5mac.com/join.Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage youre in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial atshopify.com/happyhour.HostsChance Miller Benjamin MayoSubscribe, Rate, and Review9to5Mac Happy Hour PlusSubscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes:Ad-free versions of every episodePre- and post-show contentBonus episodesJoin for $5 per month or $50 a year at9to5mac.com/join.Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or ThreadsEmail us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com LinksAdd 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

Over the last year, weve seen multiple long-term holdouts finally cave to the pressure and adopt Apple Pay. At this point, the largest holdout in the United States is Walmart, and the company today indicated that it has absolutely zero plans to change its stance.Walmarts stance on Apple Pay isnt changingFor years, Walmart has insisted that its own payment technologies are superior to Apple Pay. For example, it launched Walmart Pay across the United States in 2016. Walmart Pay works by having shoppers scan a QR code at checkout, then complete their payment on their phone. The company also offers a Scan & Go platform that lets users skip checkout lines altogether, but there are a number of limitations on when you can actually use that offering.At one point, Walmart even tried to justify its decisionby making the bizarre claimthat Walmart Pay is more popular than Apple Pay.In a statement to MacRumors, a Walmart spokesperson said that it believes these convenient solutions negate the need for the retail chain to support Apple Pay:We do not accept NFC and instead have implemented convenient solutions, such as Walmart Pay, that provide our customers easy, touchless payments on any smartphone. We have also invested in innovative technologies that go beyond payments, such as Scan & Go, which allow Sams Club and Walmart+ members to bypass the checkout altogether, providing a truly touchless shopping experience.Id wager that the vast majority of Walmart shoppers strongly disagree with the sentiment. A quick search on social media reveals that Walmart shoppers are incredibly frustrated by the companys lack of Apple Pay support.Whats the real reason Walmart doesnt support Apple Pay? My belief is that it all boils down to data collection. Apple Pay comes with a number of privacy protections in place that prevent a merchant from learning about your transaction history. This makes it harder, if not impossible, for merchants like Walmart to track your purchase patterns. Tracking your purchase history is something Walmart relies on for building customer profiles for targeted ads, marketing, and more.While Walmart continues to neglect Apple Pay, other long-term holdouts have started to cave. Kroger rolled out Apple Pay support in 2023, followed by grocery chain H-E-B and Home Depot.Has Walmarts lack of Apple Pay support affected your shopping habits? Do you think the company will ever launch support for the platform? Let us know down in the comments.My favorite iPhone 16 accessories:Add 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

The reactor contained plasma for almost 18 minutes.Sun IntendedScientists claim that China's "Artificial Sun" nuclear reactor has more than doubled its own previous world record, confining extremely high-energy plasma for a whopping 1,066 seconds this week (that's in comparison to its previous record of 403 seconds, set in 2023.)Using the experimental reactor known as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST),scientists heated plasma to temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius, and managed to contain the swirling soup of atoms for over 17 minutes.The goal is to essentially recreate the processes that power stars like the Sun inside nuclear fusion reactors here on Earth as a way to produce a renewable source of green energy without running the risk of a nuclear meltdown, which still lingers at fission reactors like the Fukushima Daiichi plant that melted down in 2011."A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants," said Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) director Song Yuntao in an official statement.Holy GrailIt's a step in the right direction, but a future in which fusion reactors can take up the mantle for grid-scale power generation remains a holy grail.Despite decades of research and countless "breakthroughs," scientists have only recently started producing tiny amounts of net positive energy, or harvesting more energy out of the reaction than they had to put in and doing so at a meaningful scale will likely prove enormously difficult.The EAST is a donut-shaped reactor that's designed to confine highly energized plasma spinning in a loop. But to achieve ignition, or reach the point where the reaction can self-sustain itself, still requires copious amounts of energy, far surpassing the amount being generated.Scientists are nonetheless hopeful that future reactors could flip that equation on its head. The super-expensive International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, for instance, could set the stage for future fusion reactor designs that could turn the idea of fusion energy into a reality.But we'll have to remain patient until we can find out whether that's even a possibility. Operations at ITER aren't expected to start until at least 2039, despite the reactor finishing construction over half a year ago.Share This Article