This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.How a top Chinese AI model overcame US sanctionsThe AI community is abuzz over DeepSeek R1, a new open-source reasoning model.The model was developed by the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which claims that R1 matches or even surpasses OpenAIs ChatGPT o1 on multiple key benchmarks but operates at a fraction of the cost.DeepSeeks success is even more remarkable given the constraints facing Chinese AI companies in the form of increasing US export controls on cutting-edge chips. But early evidence shows that these measures are not working as intended. Rather than weakening Chinas AI capabilities, the sanctions appear to be driving startups like DeepSeek to innovate in ways that prioritize efficiency, resource-pooling, and collaboration. Read the full story.Caiwei ChenUseful quantum computing is inevitableand increasingly imminentPeter Barrett is a general partner at Playground Global, which invests in early-stage deep-tech companiesOn January 8, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang jolted the stock market by saying that practical quantum computing is still 15 to 30 years away, at the same time suggesting those computers will need Nvidia GPUs in order to implement the necessary error correction.However, history shows that brilliant people are not immune to making mistakes. Huangs predictions miss the mark, both on the timeline for useful quantum computing and on the role his companys technology will play in that future.Ive been closely following developments in quantum computing as an investor, and its clear to me that useful quantum computing is inevitable and increasingly imminent. And thats good news, because the hope is that they will be able to perform calculations that no amount of AI or classical computation could ever achieve. Read the full story.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 AI pioneers are clashing over its potential dangersYann LeCun, Metas AI chief scientist, has branded experts grave warnings hypocritical. (FT $)+ AIs biggest cheerleaders tend to know the least about it. (Wired $)+ How existential risk became the biggest meme in AI. (MIT Technology Review)2 This surveillance tech could enable Donald Trumps deportation plansFrom mass biometric databases to phone jailbreaking tools. (NYT $)+ It really doesnt have to be like this. (The Atlantic $)+ Trump has declared policing the US-Mexican border his number one issue. (FT $)+ Hes ordered the end of the CBP One border migration app. (MIT Technology Review)3 The European Union is watching Big Tech like a hawkIts concerned about disinformation spreading ahead of next months German election. (Bloomberg $)4 Trumps meme coins are bad news for the crypto industryThe community was hoping the President would legitimize cryptocurrency, rather than leaning into its scammier side. (WP $)+ Its a blow to the fans hoping hell make Bitcoin great again. (The Guardian)+ Trumps biggest supporters stand to lose the most from his crypto grift. (Vox)5 AI is helping to pin down what caused the Los Angeles wildfiresDetermining the truth could take months. AI is speeding that process up. (Wired $)6 Elon Musks gaming skills are under fireHardcore gamers are questioning how he was seemingly playing during Trumps inauguration. (NYT $)7 The European Medicines Agency has had enough of XAnd has moved to Bluesky instead. (Reuters)8 Vietnam is deploying robots to help run its postal serviceIncluding delivering parcels and sorting packages in warehouses. (Rest of World)9 Startups are in for a rough yearThousands of companies were funded between 2020 and 2021. Now, plenty are shutting down. (TechCrunch)+ Gaming startups in the UK are struggling for cash. (BBC)10 A newly-discovered asteroid turned out to be Musks Tesla RoadsterThe car and its mannequin driver have been floating in space since 2018. (USA Today)+ The worlds next big environmental problem could come from space. (MIT Technology Review)Quote of the dayI think within five years, nobody in their right mind would use them anymore.Yann LeCun, Metas chief AI scientist, says he believes that the technologies powering the current wave of large language models will soon become obsolete, TechCrunch reports.The big storyHow culture drives foul play on the internet, and how new upcode can protect usAugust 2023From Bored Apes and Fancy Bears, to Shiba Inu coins, self-replicating viruses, and whales, the internet is crawling with fraud, hacks, and scams.And while new technologies come and go, they change little about the fact that online illegal operations exist because some people are willing to act illegally, and others fall for the stories they tell.Ultimately, online crime is a human story. But why does it work, and how can we protect ourselves from falling for such schemes? Read the full story.Rebecca AckermannWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ I cant believe these albums were released 50 years ago: featuring Bob Dylan, Donna Summer, and The Boss.+ What one mans search for happiness taught him about himself.+ More twins are being born than ever beforebut why? + Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on this day in 1756. Enjoy this stunning piano concerto in his honor!

Apple today unveiled a new Black Unity Collection to honor Black History Month, and celebrate Black culture and community.

The Apple Watch helped save the lives of injured skiers in Washington after falling approximately 1,000 feet down a mountain, thanks to an SOS alert.A helicopter's view of a mountain rescue - Image Credit: King County Sheriff Air SupportOn Wednesday, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office in Washington were informed of an Apple Watch SOS alert. The notification from Apple's wearable came from a skier located near Steven's Pass, a popular ski resort.Rescuers didn't have much information to go on, except that a skier had fallen on the mountain, and had injured a leg. The skier reportedly fell approximately 1,000 foot in their accident, reports Fox Weather. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Director M. Night Shyamalan and writer/creator Tony Basgallop have defeated a lawsuit alleging that their "Servant" series on Apple TV+ stole ideas from a previous film.Apple TV+ show 'Servant.' Image source: AppleThe lawsuit was brought by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini in January 2020, although the case was initially dismissed. On appeal, it was allowed to proceed with its accusation that "Servant" stole the plot and aped certain creative choices in the 2013 movie "The Truth About Emanuel."Following a seven-day trial by jury, however, The Independent reports that the federal judge overseeing the case has ruled in favor of "Servant." The jury had been shown the film plus the first three episodes of the series at the start of the trial. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to architectural fee calculations. Ultimately, the decision of how to structure a fee is a business decision and judgment call on behalf of the architect, to be arrived at with consideration to a range of factors, including the project scale, typology, scope and clarity of service, and risk of changes or delays.In a recent feature article, we rounded up the five most popular methods used by architects to calculate a fee, together covering 97% of billings in 2023 according to the AIA 2024 Firm Survey Report.Of all structures, the two most popular were the stipulated sum and professional fee methods, each of which was responsible for 32% of billings in 2023. While the stipulated sum method was amenable to situations where the project brief, budget, and architects scope of services were clear, the professional fee structure offers the most flexibility across sectors and scales.Elsewhere, an hourly rate structure constituted 20% of billings and was most likely to be used by small firms. The hourly rate structure can also be amenable in situations where the scope of the architects brief is less clear, including feasibility studies to test a projects viability, as well as being used for services beyond typical design roles, such as consultancy and expert witness services.Rounding out...

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Deserts in the Middle East are places of paradox; they are harsh and unyielding environments that have long inspired ingenuity and resilience. These arid landscapes, shaped by sand dunes, expansive skies and extreme temperatures, present unique challenges for architects. Yet, they also provide a canvas for innovation, where modern design meets ancient traditions of adaptation to climate. From buildings that honor vernacular techniques like wind towers and thick, insulating walls to novel structures leveraging new technology, the regions desert architecture reflects a profound dialogue between place and design.This interplay of tradition and modernity has given rise to striking structures that dont just survive the desert; they thrive within it. Architects and designers are drawing inspiration from the deserts sculptural forms and raw materiality, using these elements to craft projects that harmonize with their surroundings. The result is architecture that bridges the natural and the built, embracing environmental sustainability while creating spaces of beauty and functionality. These projects challenge the conventional narrative of deserts as inhospitable, instead showcasing how thoughtful design can turn constraints into opportunities.BEEAH HeadquartersBy Zaha Hadid Architects, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesNestled within the sand dunes of Sharjahs Al Sajaa desert, the BEEAH Headquarters is a striking example of architecture inspired by its environment, designed as a series of interconnecting dunes shaped to optimize local climatic conditions. The building embodies BEEAHs twin pillars of sustainability and digitalization, serving as a blueprint for future smart cities with net-zero energy goals.Its design maximizes daylight and views while minimizing sun exposure, creating an oasis-like courtyard central to its natural ventilation strategy. This innovative structure integrates cutting-edge technology, seamlessly aligning with BEEAHs mission to drive sustainable practices across industries such as clean energy, recycling, and green mobility.The House in MishrefBy STUDIO TOGGLE, Mishref, Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait Set in the Kuwaiti suburb of Mishref, this house is a response to the regions desert climate and the cultural need for privacy. Designed for two brothers and their families, it features two living units organized around a central courtyard, reinterpreting the traditional courtyard house to address the challenges of harsh sunlight, high temperatures and dust storms.The inward-facing design maximizes diffused daylight while maintaining privacy, with the courtyard housing a citrus-lined garden and a sculptural fountain inspired by Moorish Alcazars. A dramatic floating staircase and balconies punctuate the four-story void, serving as both circulation and social spaces. Clad in Omani stone and featuring a palette of white and natural wood, the house balances serene interiors with louvered windows, creating tranquility amidst its bustling urban context.Areia 1-5By TAEP/AAP, Al Khiran, KuwaitSituated in Sabah Alahmed Alsabah Maritime City, a development that brings the sea into the desert through canals and marinas, this project features five waterfront villas designed to reflect Kuwaits lifestyle while responding to the desert environment. Inspired by simple plane geometry, the villas share a unified architectural language with slight variations, creating a harmonious yet diverse ensemble.The design integrates shaded courtyards and perforated walls to ensure privacy, while open ground-floor spaces connect seamlessly with the beach, gardens, and pools, extending the living areas outdoors. Rooftops offer panoramic views over Khiran, providing ideal leisure spaces for socializing during cooler times. Despite their similar layouts, each villa features unique nuances, offering individuality while maintaining cohesion, making the project a counterpoint to the surrounding urban development.Ayla Golf Academy & ClubhouseBy Oppenheim Architecture, Aqaba, JordanThe Ayla Golf Academy & Clubhouse in Aqaba, Jordan, draws inspiration from the natural dunes, desert mountains and Bedouin heritage of its surroundings, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Designed as the centerpiece of the Ayla Oasis resort, the design features a curved shotcrete shell that mimics rolling sand dunes, with openings framing views of the Aqaba Mountains.The design incorporates traditional elements, such as Corten steel screens inspired by Arabic mashrabiya and Jordanian patterns, while the earthy tones of the materials reflect the desert palette. A collaborative knowledge exchange program ensured local workers were trained in advanced shotcrete techniques, while a local artist applied traditional pigmentation methods, embedding cultural authenticity into this innovative and organic architectural landmark.Snail Shell RetreatBy character architects, Fars Province, IranThe Snail Shell Retreat, located southwest of Shiraz, Iran, is a holiday home designed for relaxation, family gatherings and escaping city life. Inspired by the areas semi-desert climate, the house features a snail-shell-like layout with spaces arranged in a circular sequence, starting with a small, specially treated courtyard that supports resilient plants and reduces interior temperatures.The introverted design minimizes heat transfer, creating a private, serene atmosphere ideal for meditation, while the roof functions as an elevated terrace offering panoramic views for gatherings on cooler evenings. The fluid, partition-free interior connects seamlessly, with a summer living room opening outward and a warmer winter space facing south for sunlight.Buhais Geology Park Interpretive CentreBy Hopkins Architects, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesLocated in a region rich in prehistoric and geological significance, the Geology Park celebrates the areas 65-million-year-old marine fossils, mountain ranges and ancient burial sites. Inspired by fossilized urchins found on-site, the design features five interconnected pods of varying sizes, accommodating exhibition spaces, an immersive theatre, a caf and visitor facilities.The pods, with sculptural forms clad in steel panels matching the deserts hues, rest lightly on reinforced concrete discs to preserve the terrain. Their interiors, with exposed concrete shells, tempered natural light, and restrained materials, offer a contrast to the deserts brightness. A sinuous outdoor trail connects the pods, weaving through viewing areas, a shaded classroomand raised walkways over ancient sites, inviting visitors to explore and learn. Operated by Sharjahs Environmental Protected Areas Authority, the park underscores conservation and education in the Emirate.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Desert Design: 6 Times Architecture Embraced Climate in the Middle East appeared first on Journal.

After having announced its plans to expand its game development business into publishing earlier this month, Palworld developer Pocketpair has apparently been swarmed with emails from smaller indie studios. Pocketpair communications director and publishing manager John Buckley took to social media platform X to talk about how popular the move has been for the company.We announced Pocketpair Publishing 15 hours ago My inboxes were 0 before then I think I might have underestimated how much interest here would be, posted Buckley on X.The company seems to be intent on taking a hands-off approach with the games it publishes. Responding to another X user about how much of a role Pocketpair would play in the development of a game it is publishing, Buckley responded by saying that it wants to give developers the financial freedom they want to make their games.We give you money. You make the game, posted Buckley. If you want help with marketing or something well help out, but otherwise do whatever you want. Were giving devs the financial freedom to make games they want so they DONT have to get wrapped up in stinky rule makers and bullies.While Pocketpair is yet to make any further announcements about the games it might publish, it is currently working with Tales of Kenzera: Zau developer Surgent Studios on a horror game. Studio founder Abubakar Salim revealed that alongside the newly-announced game, the studio was also in conversations about future games that would be set in the Tales of Kenzera: Zau universe.Pocketpair has also been busy with its own game, and recently released an update for Palworld celebrating Spring with a host of new skins for Pals. The update also brought balance changes to the title, including the addition of the Earth element to Mammorest and Mammorest Cyst.Buckley also recently spoke about Palworlds World Tree, and how content around it had been mapped out for quite some time. For context, the World Tree has been easily visible to players for quite some time, and an ending scenario for the game is supposed to take place there. However, Buckley has revealed that it doesnt necessarily mean the end for Palworld.As for confirmed upcoming content for the game, Pocketpair had announced back in November that it would be teaming up with Terraria developer Re-Logic for a collaborative event. While details havent yet been confirmed by either of the companies, speculations indicate that we would see some mechanics from both games making their way into the other. Whether this means Pals coming to Terraria or boss fights from the latter popping up in Palworld as potential Pals is currently unknown.The last major update for Palworld was Feybreak, which brought with it the eponymous island. The update also introduced a new faction for players to deal with, as well as a new raid. On the gameplay side of things, players are now able to hunt down criminals scattered all over the world, and research permanent boosts.Palworld is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. For more details, check out our review.We announced Pocketpair Publishing 15 hours agoMy inboxes were 0 before thenI think I might have underestimated how much interest there would be pic.twitter.com/MCal1HuAUg Bucky | Palworld (@Bucky_cm) January 24, 2025We give you money.You make game.If you want help with marketing or something well help out, but otherwise do whatever you want.Were giving devs the financial freedom to make games they want so they DONT have to get wrapped up with stinky rule makers and bullies. Bucky | Palworld (@Bucky_cm) January 24, 2025

Nearly a year after launching on PlayStation 5, Team Ninjas Rise of the Ronin is coming to PC via Steam on March 11th. It will retail for $49.99. Check out the trailer below.The open-world action RPG occurs during the Bakumatsu in Japan, with the player pitted against various factions. Like Nioh, there are multiple weapon types with different styles and abilities to master. Based on different decisions, the direction of the story can change.Rise of the Ronin received above-average reviews at launch (check out ours here). However, it would become Koei Tecmos best-selling game in June 2024. Several updates have been released since then, adding new missions, gear, Dojo training partners, and more.Those who purchase the game early on Steam can net bonuses like the Iga Ninja Armor Set and Katana alongside four combat styles: Hayabusa-ryu, Nioh-ryu, and Aisu Kage-ryu for the Katana and Hayabusa-ryu for the Naginata. These will be available on April 2nd, roughly a month after launch. Stay tuned for more updates and gameplay in the meantime.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer says there are no more guarantees where the company's first-party exclusives are concerned.In an interview with Save State Plus, Spencer was asked to confirm whether Xbox Game Studios title Starfield will be "staying put" on Xbox for the time being. He offered a succinct "no" in response.Expanding on his answer, Spencer said there's no reason for him to put a "ring fence" around any Xbox Game Studios title."[I won't] say this game will not go to a place where it will find players and have business success for us," he added. "What we find is we're able to drive a better business that allows us to invest in great game lineup like you sawand that's our strategy."Spencer said the company intends to make its games available across a variety of platforms to meet players on their terms. He noted Xbox Game Pass remains a key part of that plan, but emphasized that keeping titles off rival hardware isn't an approach the company is pursuing."The world's biggest games are available in multiple places, and more and more creators are asking us 'how do we stay connected when our game might be playable on all of these different places?' We want Xbox to be absolutely the platform that enables that," continued Spencer."We think that makes us unique. Most of the other platforms out there are single platform on single device-whether that's PC, whether that's mobile, whether that's a consoleand we want Xbox to be a platform that enables creators across any screen that people want to play on."Microsoft isn't sold on the benefits of platform exclusivityMicrosoft has already brought first-party titles such as Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Sea of Thieves to rival platforms including Switch and PlayStation. Last year, the company also confirmed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is heading to PlayStation 5.The decision to bypass the once impenetrable console exclusivity barrier comes after Microsoft spent billions acquiring major studios including Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, both of which have a history of releasing multiplatform titles. The latest Call of Duty title-the first to release under Microsoftalso launched on PlayStation 5.The pivot also comes with Xbox hardware revenue in decline. Microsoft, however, says its Xbox business isn't reliant on console sales and feels initiatives such as Xbox Game Pass can "attract gamers across a variety of different end-points.""We've seen new devices from third-party manufacturers along with key PC and mobile end points that help us empower gamers to play in a way that is most convenient to them," read a snippet from the company's full-year report."We are focused on growing the platform and expanding to new ecosystems to engage as many gamers as possible."

A chatbot made by Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has rocketed to the top of Apples App Store charts in the US this week, dethroning OpenAIs ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app. The eponymous AI assistant is powered by DeepSeeks open-source models, which the company says can be trained at a fraction of the cost using far fewer chips than the worlds leading models. The claim has riled financial markets, sending Nvidias shares down over 12 percent in pre-market training,Downloads for the app exploded shortly after DeepSeek released its new R1 reasoning model on January 20th, which is designed for solving complex problems and reportedly performs as well as OpenAIs o1 on certain benchmarks. R1 was built on the V3 LLM DeepSeek released in December, which the company claims is on par with GPT-4o and Anthropics Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and cost less than $6 million to develop. By contrast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said GPT-4 cost over $100 million to train.DeepSeek also claims to have needed only about 2,000 specialized chips from Nvidia to train V3, compared to the 16,000 or more required to train leading models, according to the New York Times.These unverified claims are leading developers and investors to question the compute-intensive approach favored by the worlds leading AI companies. And if true, it means that DeepSeek engineers had to get creative in the face of trade restrictions meant to ensure US domination of AI.Nvidia, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta are investing billions into AI data centers $500 billion alone for the Stargate Project, of which $100 billion is thought to be earmarked for Nvidia. Investors and analysts are now wondering if thats money well spent, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and other companies with substantial stakes in maintaining the AI status quo all trending downward in pre-market trading.