This article contains spoilers for Star Trek: Section 31.A quick scan of the internet finds that Den of Geek was hardly the only outlet to set phasers to kill on Star Trek: Section 31. Fans and critics alike have thoroughly rejected the movie, dismissing it as unfunny, unexciting, and largely derivative. It even ranks at the very bottom of our updated Star Trek movie ranking and its deserved.Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of people ion the internet saying that Section 31 isnt real Trek or, more directly, that the franchise needs to course correct by going back to the highs of The Original Series and The Next Generation.Its easy to see why Trekkies would long for the past. Ever since J.J. Abrams relaunched the film franchise with the 2009 film and Alex Kurtzman, that movies co-writer, took over as executive producer on the current TV shows, Star Trek has changed radically. The Abrams movies were slick, loud, and action-packed, a far cry from the meeting of strategic geniuses in Wrath of Khan, let alone the contemplative pace of The Motion Picture. Discovery put emotion over reason and focused on a single protagonist in Michael Burnham, while revival series Picard spent its first two seasons tearing down the legacy of TNG. Even more well-regarded shows, such as Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds, infuse a heavy dose of irreverence into familiar characters and settings.Given the mixed results of these outings, and all out failures like Section 31, the past sounds safe and comforting. But Star Trek is about going forward, even if it stumbles sometimes along the way.Changing From the FirstStar Trek first changed direction before most people realized there was any direction at all. NBC rejected the shows first pilot The Cage but still saw value in the concept, commissioning a second pilot, Where No Mas Has Gone Before. Although The Cage was retooled as the excellent season one two-parter The Menagerie, any Trekkie can tell you that The Cage was very different from the finished show, complete with a giggling Mr. Spock and a different captain at the helm of the Enterprise.Granted, its unusual for a studio to pay for a full second pilot, but most of Star Treks production process falls within the standard steps for making a TV show in the 1960s. However, the franchise has shown remarkable willingness to change over the years.Just look at how the franchise evolved while making the TOS movies. What started as the sequel series Star Trek Phase II became Star Trek: The Motion Picture. When TMP wasnt the success that Paramount expected, producers pushed creator Gene Roddenberry to the sidelines and brought on Nicholas Meyer to lead the development of a sequel. Meyer had never seen an episode of Star Trek and saw Starfleet as a Naval institution (something anathema to Roddenberry), but he created Wrath of Khan, considered by most to be the best Trek movie. Two sequels later, Leonard Nimoy minimized the franchises original stakes to make a character-driven comedy set in present day for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.The same is true of the TV series. The Next Generation not only introduced an all-new cast with no connections to the original, something unheard of in our legacy sequel-obsessed current day, but also eschewed the swashbuckling captain model set by Kirk for the more patrician Captain Picard. When the first two seasons proved too stale to maintain interest, TNG course-corrected when Michael Piller took over as head writer, abandoning Roddenberrys infamous restriction against interpersonal conflict on the Enterprise.Even after those changes, fans complained that TNGs beige sets and thoughtful captain betrayed the sense of adventure established by TOS. We all recognize Deep Space Nine as a classic now, but fans initially complained about the shows non-Starship setting, its exploration of religious themes in an enlightened future, and its darker tone. Even then, the series didnt hit its stride until it moved the mystery of the Prophets to the background and focused instead on the Dominion War, leading to serialized stories about topics such as PTSD, something impossible to imagine on TOS.As this short survey of favorites shows, Star Trek works best when it evolves. Of course, evolving is only part of the equation. It also has to be good and compelling, which is the real problem with Section 31 and other recent misfires.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Learning From FailureSection 31 introduces a new alien race to Star Trek canon. Fuzz may look like a Vulcan, but hes in fact a Nanokin, a microscopic entity that gets around in a ship shaped like a Vulcan. Sure, that concept was already used in Men in Black and the Eddie Murphy movie Meet Dave, but the idea of an alien piloting a person seems particularly well-suited to the humanism at the center of Trek. Furthermore, Nanokins are bacteria-sized aliens, raising interesting questions about how vastly different species can interact and reach harmony.But Section 31 has no interest in any of those questions. Instead, it uses the person-as-ship concept for a few obvious plot twists and marital jokes torn straight from some Baby Boomers Facebook page. Worse, Fuzz is by far the most irritating character in Trek history. For some reason, actor Sven Ruygrok gives Fuzz a loud Irish accent, accentuating lines that are mostly him yelling at people for calling him small.Fuzz might be an extreme example, but he captures the problems with Section 31 and modern Trek. New approaches and new aliens keep the franchise alive. But they should be thoughtful additions.A more interesting example may be the flagship series of modern Trek, Star Trek: Discovery. The series had compelling ideas that arent inherently bad. For example, the shows take on Sarek is interesting and its worthwhile to get another look at he and Amanda Graysons approaches, beyond their treatment of Spock. Previous series have all used a more or less ensemble cast, but tons of sci-fi series have worked by focusing on a single protagonist like Michael Burnham. Finally, an emotion-heavy approach about characters discussing trauma not only matches Discovery to modern storytelling sensibilities, but also allows Trek to put more focus on emotion, something the franchise has too often downplayed in favor of logic.Sometimes, Discovery met those expectations. James Frain gave us a more compassionate Sarek, without sacrificing the nobility that Mark Lenard originally imbued into the character, while Mia Kirshner made Amanda into more of a character than weve ever seen before. Sonequa Martin-Green has more than enough talent and charisma to carry a show, but no actor could save scripts that constantly made Michael the one most important person in the entire galaxy. And while Discovery had some wonderful and passionate momentsthe romance between Stamets and Culber, the debate about Zora in season four, Michaels passionate appeal to religious believers in season fives Whistlespeak. But these were the rare exceptions to stories that usually suggested a good cry cured the deepest trauma.The problem here isnt the form, the theme, or even necessarily the characters. Its all about the execution, an execution that failed.Evolving and ImprovingTo be clear, change for the sake of change isnt necessarily a good thing. Its hard to imagine anyone preferring the generic action hero that Picard became in the TNG movies over the flawed, but high-minded diplomat of the show. But neither do failed changes mean that all change is bad.Star Treks greatest value has always been its deep optimism, its depiction of humanity that overcomes its shortcomings to achieve something great. But (give or take a Gary Seven) the series never suggests that humans become perfect. They make mistakes, get things wrong, need to change direction. But they do actually change direction, admit their mistakes, and keep moving forward toward new successes and failures.Modern Trek has gotten it wrong with Section 31, lots of Discovery, and elsewhere (we wont argue about Subspace Rhapsody here). But that doesnt mean all of its ideas are bad. For the franchise to remain a vital part of the pop culture landscape, it cannot keep playing it safe with well-worn characters, places, and themes. It has to keep trying new things, even if we all complain about it online for a while.Star Trek: Section 31 is now streaming on Paramount+.

Hello gang!We heard you like Baldurs Gate 3 and breaking things.Well, we have good news for you: The Patch 8 Stress Test is now live and available to all Xbox Insiders who own the game!Not into breaking things but still want to know what this is all about? Read to the end to find out whats coming in Patch 8.The final major patch for Baldurs Gate 3 is right around the corner, but with an update so packed full of bug fixes, new features, and additions, were enlisting your help to go beyond our internal testing and help us catch things before release.The Patch 8 stress test is a separate application from the main game and can be accessed via the Xbox Insider Hub. If youre planning on joining us, youll need to already own Baldurs Gate 3 and make sure your Xbox has enough storage available to download the game!Follow these steps to download the Patch 8 stress test app:Open (or, install if necessary) the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S.Navigate to Previews > Baldurs Gate 3Select Join.You should then be directed to the correct Store Page to install the stress test version!To return to the Patch 7 version of Baldurs Gate 3, you will need to exit the Stress Test version via the Xbox Insider Hub. This will prompt an update and will revert your game to the previous version. Please bear in mind that any saves made within the stress test will not be compatible with the Patch 7 version once you revert back.Share your experience with us by reaching out to our support team to report any bugs, and be sure to state Patch 8 in the Game Version field!Patch 8 is bringing cross-play to Baldurs Gate 3, allowing players on all platforms to join each other in multiplayer sessions! So grab your friends on other platforms and get ready to fight over who will romance each companion.To set up your own cross-play session, head to the multiplayer menu:Select Cross-Play from the tab options.Then Select Create.Customise your game options then choose Launch.Join a cross-play multiplayer session by following these steps:On the main menu, click on Multiplayer.Select the Cross-Play tab.Wait for your friends lobby to appear, then go ahead and join them!If you or the host use mods and there are any discrepancies, a Verification Window will open to inform you which mods need installing, uninstalling, or updating.Want to get your friends on other platforms involved in testing cross-play? Share the link below!Larian Studios Discord Server to find other players in our Patch 8 Looking For Group channel!Alongside many fixes and improvements, Patch 8 also includes two other big additions: photo mode and 12 new subclasses!Whether you plan on lining up the perfect action shots or filling a whole folder with 50GB worth of photos of Laezels sweet smile, photo mode is here to make all of that a reality.Adjust the camera angles, zoom in, select from a large list of facial expressions and poses, and add the finishing touches with filters, frames and stickers!Want to see what the Baldurs Gate 3 Photo Mode can do? Check out our recreations of memorable community moments.New SubclassesPatch 8 also brings 12 new subclasses one per each existing class! Explode nearby corpses with a Death Domain Cleric, discover new ways to keep (or break) your new Oath of the Crown as a Paladin, or send a legion of bees towards your enemies as a Swarmkeeper Ranger.You can learn more about each new subclass and photo mode in Community Update #30, so definitely give it a read.Continue your adventure in the Patch 8 stress test, now live!

Digital collectible card game Marvel Snap is back in the App Store, after the games developer seemingly severed connections with TikTok parent ByteDance.Trump has suggested that Microsoft is negotiating to buy TikTok, despite the companys CEO having previously described the suggestion as the strangest thing Marvel Snap back in the App StoreWhile we colloquially refer to a TikTok ban, the actual prohibition is on US companies having dealings with the apps owner, ByteDance. Marvel Snap was published by Nuverse, a subsidiary, and therefore also affected by the ban.It now seems that the games developer, Second Dinner, has switched publisher, as AppleInsider notes that the app has returned to the App Store.That all changed on Monday, asMarvel Snapcan now once again be downloaded and played on iPhones in the United States. The card-collecting game has also been removed from Appleslistof ByteDance applications, indicating that the games developer, Second Dinner, was likely able to make alternate publishing arrangements. No exact details have yet been provided, however.Trump says Microsoft may buy TikTokIn a bizarre circular event, it was Trump who first threatened to ban TikTok unless it was sold to a US company. The president has since positioned himself as the savior of the app.But the first time around, ByteDance approached Microsoft to see whether the software giant might be interested in acquiring TikTok. While Satya Nadella said he could see a potential fit, he also described the approach as the strangest thing.This time, Trump switched to pitching Oracle as a potential purchaser. The company currently provides US hosting services for TikTok, despite the fact that this is illegal, apparently comforted by Trumps promise not to allow the law to be enforced.But that idea has gone quiet, and BBC News reports that Trump is now claiming Microsoft is negotiating to buy it.US President Donald Trump has said Microsoft is in discussions to acquire TikTok and that he would like to see a bidding war over the sale of the social media app.When asked by reporters whether the US tech giant was preparing a bid, Trump replied: I would say yes before adding that there was great interest in TikTok from several companies []A spokesperson for Microsoft said the company had nothing to share at this time. The BBC has also reached out to TikTok for comment.Photo byClint PattersononUnsplashAdd 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

Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee has shared a hands-on experience of Project Moohan, a prototype of Samsungs Vision Pro competitor.Samsung has previously allowed other tech writers to try it, including 9to5Googles Abner Li, but this is the first time the company has allowed video footage to be shared Our sister site got a 30-minute try-out last month, and Li was impressed, describing the OS as the equal of visionOS, but also incorporating AI features not yet available on Apples headset.Everything Google has been working on in the past decade or so, including , come together in this headset that will be available next year. Android XR seems to be on par with visionOS, while offering something wildly new yet natural with Gemini and Project Astra.MKBHD too said that the inclusion of AI features is the biggest current differentiator from Vision Pro, based on deep collaboration with Google.This is the first Android XR headset so its a pretty deep collaboration between Google and Samsung; think of it as like the Nexus or Pixel but for headsets.He says that the hardware is undeniably influenced by Apple, though the way it secures to your head is more similar to the Quest Pro.The back borrows more from the now discontinued Quest Pro, I would say, with this sort of cup on the back of your head plus a dial to adjust how snug it is. I found that with this setup basically most of the weight or the pressure now is on my brow above my eyes, unlike what the Vision Pro was more below my eyes because of the way it sort of sagged.Just as Vision Pro can run iPad apps, so too can this run Android phone and tablet apps, but spatial apps created for the platform are where each device comes to life. The big difference, says Brownlee, is that Project Moohan has Googles Gemini chatbot on board.At any point you can just go home and and hit the Gemini button and just talk to it. Basically it starts running an instance of Gemini live in the background you know, the live conversational version of Gemini that you can sort of talk back and forth with and carry on a full conversation with.Also, Gemini is multimodal, which in the headset means that it can see everything that youre seeing so you can ask Gemini about something thats just in front of you and it can give you answers just like as if youd taken a picture of it with your phone. So it can translate signs or answer trivia questions or just tell you about what youre looking at []This is a massive difference versus The Vision Pro which has no apple intelligence features, no AI features at all and probably wont be getting any anytime soon.This is just a prototype at present, with Samsung promising it will launch later this year. Theres one rather crucial piece of information the company hasnt yet revealed: the price.Check out the 12-minute video below.Screengrab: MKBHDAdd 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

Jan 28, 2025The Hacker NewsThreat Hunting / SecOpsTriaging and investigating alerts is central to security operations. As SOC teams strive to keep up with ever-increasing alert volumes and complexity, modernizing SOC automation strategies with AI has emerged as a critical solution. This blog explores how an AI SOC Analyst transforms alert management, addressing key SOC challenges while enabling faster investigations and responses.Security operations teams are under constant pressure to manage the relentless flow of security alerts from an expanding array of tools. Every alert carries the risk of serious consequences if ignored, yet the majority are false positives. This flood of alerts bogs down teams in a cycle of tedious, repetitive tasks, consuming valuable time and resources. The result? Overstretched teams are struggling to balance reactive alert "whack-a-mole" chasing with proactive threat hunting and other strategic security initiatives. Core challengesHigh alert volumes: Security operations teams receive hundreds to thousands of alerts a day, making it nearly impossible for analysts to keep up. For many SOCs, this overload causes delayed response times and forces teams to make tough decisions about which alerts to prioritize. Manual, repetitive tasks: Repetitive, manual tasks burden traditional SOC workflows, requiring analysts to sift through logs, switch between tools, and manually correlate data. These inefficiencies not only delay alert investigations and incident response but also exacerbate analyst burnout and turnover. Hiring and training challenges: A global shortage of cybersecurity talent makes it difficult for SOCs to recruit and retain skilled professionals. High turnover among analysts, driven by burnout and demanding workloads, further compounds the issue. Limited proactive threat hunting: Given the reactive nature of many SOCs, proactive efforts like threat hunting often take a backseat. With so much time consumed by managing alerts and responding to incidents, few teams have the bandwidth to actively hunt for undetected threats. Missed detections: Shortages of time and talent lead many SOCs to ignore "low- and medium-severity" alerts altogether or turn off detections, which exposes the organization to additional risk.Unrealized promises of SOAR: Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) solutions have aimed to automate tasks but often fail because they require extensive playbook development and maintenance. Many organizations struggle to fully implement or maintain these complex tools, leading to patchwork automation and continued manual work.MDR/MSSP challenges: MDR/MSSP vendors don't have the enterprise context necessary to accurately investigate custom detections. Additionally, these vendors often operate as expensive blackboxes, offering investigations and responses that lack transparency, making it challenging to verify their accuracy or quality.Why now is the time to actThe rise of AI-powered attacksTraditional, manual SOC processes already struggling to keep pace with existing threats are far outpaced by automated, AI-powered attacks. Adversaries are using AI to launch sophisticated and targeted attacks putting additional pressure on SOC teams. To defend effectively, organizations need AI solutions that can rapidly sort signals from noise and respond in real time. AI-generated phishing emails are now so realistic that users are more likely to engage with them, leaving analysts to untangle the aftermathdeciphering user actions and gauging exposure risk, often with incomplete context.Advances in LLMs and agentic architecturesThe rise of large language models (LLMs), generative AI, and agentic frameworks has unlocked a new level of reasoning and autonomy for SOC automation tools. Unlike static, rule-based playbooks, these new approaches dynamically plan, reason, and learn from analyst feedback to refine investigations over time, paving the way for an AI-driven SOC.The Case for AI SOC AnalystsStreamlined investigationsAI SOC Analysts investigate every alert within minutes, analyzing data across endpoints, cloud services, identity systems, and other data sources to filter false positives and prioritize true threats. Lower riskFaster investigation and remediation of threats minimizes the potential damage of a breach, cutting down on costs and reputational risk. Proactive hunting further mitigates the likelihood of hidden compromises.ExplainabilityAI SOC Analysts provide detailed explanations for each investigation, ensuring transparency and building trust in automated decisions by showing exactly how conclusions are reached.Seamless integrationAn AI SOC Analyst seamlessly integrates with popular SIEM, EDR, Identity, Email, and Cloud platforms, case management and collaboration tools out of the box. This allows for rapid deployment and minimal disruption to existing processes.Improved SOC metricsBy leveraging AI SOC Analysts, security operations teams can overcome key challenges and achieve measurable improvements in critical SOC metrics.Lower dwell time: Automated investigations allow the SOC to spot threats before they spread.Reduced MTTR/MTTI: AI's rapid triage and analysis slashes the time needed to investigate and respond to alerts.Enhanced alert coverage: Every alert is investigated, ensuring no threat goes ignored.By automating alert triage and investigation, organizations can drastically reduce dwell time, mean time to investigate (MTTI), and mean time to respond (MTTR).Empowered teamsAn AI SOC Analyst is a powerful force-multiplier for the SOC. Removing the burden of manual, repetitive tasks frees analysts to focus on higher-value work like threat hunting and strategic security initiatives. This not only boosts morale but also helps attract and retain top talent. ScalabilityAI SOC Analysts operate 24/7, scaling automatically with alert volume. Whether an organization sees hundreds or thousands of alerts daily, AI can handle the load without additional staff.Future of SecOps: Human and AI collaborationThe future of security operations lies in seamless collaboration between human expertise and AI efficiency. This synergy doesn't replace analysts but enhances their capabilities, enabling teams to operate more strategically. As threats grow in complexity and volume, this partnership ensures SOCs can stay agile, proactive, and effective. Learn more about Prophet SecurityTriaging and investigating alerts has long been a manual, time-consuming process that strains SOC teams and increases risk. Prophet Security changes that. By leveraging cutting-edge AI, large language models, and advanced agent-based architectures, Prophet AI SOC Analyst automatically triages and investigates every alert with unmatched speed and accuracy. Prophet AI eliminates the repetitive, manual tasks that lead to burnout, empowering analysts to focus on critical threats and improving overall security outcomes.Visit Prophet Security to request a demo today and see how Prophet AI can enhance your security operations.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Jan 28, 2025Ravie LakshmananCybersecurity / Cyber EspionageThe Council of the European Union has sanctioned three individuals for allegedly carrying out "malicious cyber activities" against Estonia.The three Russian nationals Nikolay Alexandrovich Korchagin, Vitaly Shevchenko, and Yuriy Fedorovich Denisov are officers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU) Unit 29155, it said.Per the council decision, all the individuals are said to be responsible for cyber attacks against computer systems with the aim of collecting data from the data systems of multiple institutions with an aim to gain insights into the cyber security policy of Estonia."The cyber-attacks granted attackers unauthorized access to classified information and sensitive data stored within several government ministries including Economic Affairs and Communications, Social Affairs, and Foreign Affairs leading to the theft of thousands of confidential documents," per the Council.This included business secrets, health records, and other critical information that compromised the security of the affected institutions.Unit 29155 was previously implicated by the U.S. government and its allies in a string of cyber attacks aimed at government services, financial services, transportation systems, energy, and healthcare sectors of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, the European Union, Central American, and Asian countries.Since at least early 2022, the adversarial collective is assessed to have targeted and disrupted efforts to provide aid to Ukraine. The threat activity cluster is also tracked by the cybersecurity community under the names Cadet Blizzard, Ember Bear, FROZENVISTA, Nodaria, Ruinous Ursa, UAC-0056, and UNC2589.It's worth noting that both Korchagin and Denisov were charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and wire fraud conspiracy against targets in Ukraine, the U.S. and 25 other NATO countries.With the latest enforcement action, a total of 17 individuals and four entities are subject to asset freezes and travel bans, in addition to prohibiting E.U. persons and entities from transacting with those listed.Last month, the Council also levied sanctions against 16 individuals and three entities, including GRU Unit 29155 and its commander Andrey Vladimirovich Averyanov, that it said were responsible for "Russia's destabilizing actions abroad.""Through coups, assassinations, bombings, and cyber attacks against other countries around the world in connection with the war in Ukraine, it has sought to create chaos and destabilise European Union countries," the Council said. "By carrying out such actions, it seeks to help and benefit Russia."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorJanuary 28, 20255 Min ReadPuka Janluka via Alamy Stock PhotoThanks to the legalization of gambling-related activities in many parts of the world, the betting industry is booming. The field's current market size is over a billion US dollars, according to Statista, including both on-site and online betting operations.As the market flourishes, a growing number of betters are hoping that AI will help them beat the odds.Playing the OddsAI's role in gambling is still relatively new, with operators only just beginning to explore its potential impact on backend systems and player platforms, says Yoel Zuckerberg, chief product officer at Soft2Bet, an online casino and sports book software provider. In an online interview, he notes that most industry players currently encounter AI only in limited forms within games, yet he believes that the technology's role is likely to expand. "In the near future, AI is expected to play an increasingly central role in gaming platforms, enhancing personalization and engagement."AI's strongest attribute lies in its ability to enhance personalization and interactivity, Zuckerberg says. "By tracking player behaviors, preferences, and patterns, AI can deliver tailored, bespoke gameplay," he explains. "Integrating gamification elements, such as rewards and challenges, AI can also foster stronger customer loyalty and engagement."Related:Bettors can turn to AI to uncover patterns that provide valuable insights for making informed decisions, says Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of Online Games.IO in an online interview. However, when it comes to games of pure chance such as slots or roulette, AI has little to offer, since those outcomes are completely random.Many gambling operators are understandably wary of AI, worried that the technology could soon shift the balance of player engagement and strategy, Cristian-Ovidiu says. For gamblers eager to explore AI's gambling potential, he recommends starting, and becoming familiar with, data analytics platforms.AI is rapidly transforming the gambling industry, offering both opportunities and challenges, says Christian Nzouatoum, founder of Nzouat, a firm specializing in small business AI and software architecture. "In areas like sports betting, poker, and blackjack, AI can be a powerful tool for gamblers, allowing them to analyze massive datasets and make informed decisions based on predictive models," he observes via email. "For example, in sports betting, AI can process player statistics, team dynamics, and even external factors like weather conditions, to offer insights that go beyond what a human could easily calculate." In poker, Nzouatoum notes, "AI tools can assess an opponent's behavior and adjust strategies accordingly."Related:On the flip side, AI has only limited applicability in games of pure chance, such as slot machines and roulette, where outcomes are entirely unpredictable, Zuckerberg says. "However, it can still add value by personalizing the player experience, customizing rewards, and creating engagement-enhancing features within virtual slots and similar games."Other ConcernsGambling organizations, including casinos and sportsbooks, are keeping a close eye on AI developments. "They understand the advantages but are also concerned about maintaining fair play and game integrity," says video game blogger Dane Nk, in an online interview. For individuals looking to dive into AI-assisted gambling, Nk suggests starting with data analysis tools geared toward betters, of which there are many. "They can offer valuable insights but remember that the human touch -- skills and game knowledge -- should never be overlooked."Since AI's regulatory framework remains largely undefined, with many jurisdictions lacking specific guidelines for its use, businesses -- including gambling operators -- are currently operating in a gray area. "To mitigate the risks, companies should stay informed on regulatory developments and strengthen internal policies to ensure compliance," Zuckerberg advises.Related:Gambling Addiction DetectionRecent studies reveal a complex outlook in which AI is both a potential savior and a cunning manipulator in the world of gambling and addiction, says Christian Perry, CEO of Undetectable AI, a firm offering AI detection and conversion technology.The key is balance and responsible use, Perry states in an email interview. He believes that casinos can, and should, identify problematic gamblers using AI, and take every possible measure to prevent exploiting them in any way. "In person and online casinos should acknowledge the benefits and risks of using AI," he says.Betting on the FutureAI is transforming not only the player experience but also gambling enterprises' operational efficiency and strategic approach. "As we move forward, we anticipate that AI will play an integral role in shaping a more responsible, player-centric gaming environment," Zuckerberg says. "It's essential for [gambling] organizations to prioritize ethical AI practices, stay updated on regulations, and maintain a strong focus on transparency."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Submitted by WA ContentsMarina Tabassum selected as designer of the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion in LondonBangladesh Architecture News - Jan 28, 2025 - 13:10 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum has been announced as designer of the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion in London, United Kingdom.Called A Capsule in Time, the design takes inspiration from the architectural language and history of South Asian Shamiyana tents or awnings.The timber kinetic structure consists of four half-arched volume capsules that can provide shelter for the community. Set to be opened to the public at Serpentine South on 6 June 2025, the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion will be on view until 26 October 2025 in Kensington Gardens.Beginning with Dame Zaha Hadid in 2000, this ambitious and one-of-a-kind project has produced the first structures in the United Kingdom by some of the most prominent and emerging architects in the world.Tabassum is renowned for her work to create a contemporary architectural language that is grounded in and responsive to place, climate, context, culture, and history. Her design will resonate the Serpentine South and will initiate a conversation between the the permanent and ephemeral nature of the commission.The 2025 Pavilion has a central court that aligns with the bell tower of Serpentine South and is extended north-south. Four wooden capsule forms with a translucent facade that diffuses and dapples light as it enters the area make up the Pavilion's sculpture, which is inspired by the tradition of park-going and arched garden canopies that filter soft daylight through green foliage.A kinetic element that allows one of the capsule forms to move and connect, converting the Pavilion into a new space, is at the heart of Tabassum's design.In addition to referencing the history and architectural language of South Asian Shamiyana tents or awnings, Tabassum's design emphasizes the sensory and spiritual potential of architecture through scale and the interaction of light and shadow.These structures, which are supported by bamboo poles and consist of an exterior fabric, are commonly set up for outdoor events and festivities and serve a similarly dynamic purpose. The openness of Tabassum's Pavilion embraces the potential for connecting visitors together through conversations, live events, and public gatherings.Marina Tabassum. Image Asif SalmanTabassum emphasizes that the design is also inspired by the architecture of the Bengal delta and features ephemeral dwellings that can shift locations according to the changing courses of the rivers."We are thrilled to be selected as the architect of this years Serpentine Pavilion. When conceiving our design, we reflected on the transient nature of the commission which appears to us as a capsule of memory and time," said Marina Tabassum."The relationship between time and architecture is intriguing: between permanence and impermanence, of birth, age and ruin; architecture aspires to outlive time.""Architecture is a tool to live behind legacies, fulfilling the inherent human desire for continuity beyond life. In the Bengal delta, architecture is ephemeral as dwellings change locations with the rivers shifting courses. Architecture becomes memories of the lived spaces continued through tales.""The archaic volume of a half capsule, generated by geometry and wrapped in light semi-transparent material will create a play of filtered light that will pierce through the structure as if under a Shamiyana at a Bengali wedding.""The Serpentine Pavilion offers a unique platform under the summer sun to unite as people rich in diversity. The stage is set, the seats are placed. We envision various events and encounters taking place in this versatile space that unifies people through conversations and connections," Tabassum added.Serpentine 2025 Pavilion A Capsule in Time, designed by Marina Tabassum, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA). Design render, interior view. Image Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), courtesy SerpentineA Capsule in Time will honour connections with the Earth and celebrate the spirit of community. Built around a mature tree at the centre of the structure, Tabassums design will bring the park inside the Pavilion," said Bettina Korek, Chief Executive, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director."Its kinetic dimension will also harken back to the levitating element of Rem Koolhaas & Cecil Balmond with Arups Serpentine Pavilion 2006.""We are grateful to all of our loyal supporters who make this groundbreaking commission possible and look forward to announcing a full programme of live events and public programmes that will bring people together around Tabassums visionary, spiritual and social structure.""This is a milestone year for the Serpentine Pavilion Commission as we celebrate 25 years since the inception of this prestigious programme," Korek and Obrist added.The 25th year of this historic commission will begin with Tabassum's Pavilion, which will build on Dame Zaha Hadid's legacy of pushing the limits of architecture. "There should be no end to experimentation," she said, and Tabassum's Pavilion will be an excellent representation of this philosophy.Serpentine CEO Bettina Korek, art director Hans Ulrich Obrist, director of construction and special projects Julie Burnell, curator Chris Bayley, curator at Large, Architecture and Site-specific Projects Natalia Grabowska, assistant exhibitions curator Alexa Chow, and advisors Sou Fujimoto and David Glover selected this year's Pavilion.Following Tabassum's ten-year collaboration with URBANA in 2005, Marina Tabassum Architects was established and has produced architectural projects that are ecologically, politically, and socially conscious. In addition to structures located in Dhaka, its surrounding areas, and other parts of Bangladesh, MTA also conducts research on environmental degradation in Bangladesh, a nation that is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.With the goal of improving the living and environmental situations of those they work with, the studio also focuses on the role that architecture plays in addressing the living conditions of marginalized people in the area, as evidenced by their well-known Khudi Bari [Small House] (2020ongoing). These easily disassembled and movable modular buildings were created in 2020 for people residing on the sand beds of the Jamuna, Meghna, and Teesta rivers.In 2024, architect, researcher and educator Marina Tabassum was named as the world's most influential architects in the 2024 TIME100 Next List by TIME Magazine. In 20216, Tabassum was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture with Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Top image: Serpentine 2025 Pavilion A Capsule in Time, designed by Marina Tabassum, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA). Design render, exterior view. Image Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA). Courtesy Serpentine.> via Serpentine

BDP-designed building is one of the most prominent in citys financial districtMichael Laird Architects designs for the 200m refurbishmentMichael Laird Architects has unveiled its designs for a 200m refurbishment of Lloyds Banking Groups Scottish headquarters.The Port Hamilton building in the centre of Edinburgh will be transformed into an innovation hub under plans designed for developer Drum Property Group.The 282,000sq ft, eight storey building was designed by BDP. It has been occupied by Lloyds subsidiary Scottish Widows for the past 30 years and, with its curved roof, is one of the most distinctive in the citys financial district.Drum group managing director Graeme Bone said the level of investment, structure and net-zero objectives of the Port Hamilton redevelopment sends out a very strong message for the future of the city centre office market.The existing building was designed by BDPAs part of the deal with Lloyds, Drum will assume control of the property and take responsibility for redeveloping the building as part of a forward funding agreement.Port Hamilton will remain the head office for the pensions and investments business as Drum has also concluded a pre-letting agreement with Lloyds which will see the firm enter a 21-year lease after the transformation works, which are expected to complete in 2027.

A Capsule in Time to explore themes of transience and memoryInterior view of this year's pavilion, A Capsule in Time1/3show captionBangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum has been named as the designer of this years Serpentine pavilion.Tabassums pavilion has been inspired by the transient structures built on the shifting banks of the Ganges delta in Bangladesh.Set to be unveiled to the public on 6 June, it will mark the 25th year of the annual summer event in Kensington Gardens which presents the first UK structures by emerging architectural talents from across the globe, starting with Zaha Hadid in 2000.Titled A Capsule in Time, Tabassums proposal will explore the role of memory in architecture and the boundary between permanence and impermanence.It will take the form of a capsule-shaped shelter split into four volumes, with one section that can slide to form a new space and a mature tree at the structures centre.Inspired by South Asian Shamiyana tents, temporary structures typically erected for outdoor gatherings and celebrations, the four shelters will consist of bamboo poles supporting curved translucent facades which allow dappled light to infuse the interior spaces.Tabassum said she and her practice, Marina Tabassum Architects, had been inspired by the ephemeral nature of the Serpentine event, which she said appears to us as a capsule of memory and time.Marina Tabassum said her design had been inspired by the ephemeral nature of the annual summer eventShe said: The relationship between time and architecture is intriguing: between permanence and impermanence, of birth, age and ruin; architecture aspires to outlive time.Architecture is a tool to live behind legacies, fulfilling the inherent human desire for continuity beyond life. In the Bengal delta, architecture is ephemeral as dwellings change locations with the rivers shifting courses.Architecture becomes memories of the lived spaces continued through tales. The archaic volume of a half capsule, generated by geometry and wrapped in light semi-transparent material will create a play of filtered light that will pierce through the structure as if under a Shamiyana at a Bengali wedding.The Serpentine Pavilion offers a unique platform under the summer sun to unite as people rich in diversity. The stage is set, the seats are placed. We envision various events and encounters taking place in this versatile space that unifies people through conversations and connections.Serpentine South chief executive Bettina Korek and artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist said: A Capsule in Time will honour connections with the Earth and celebrate the spirit of community.The pavilion will host a programme of music, film, theatre, dance and literature events through the summer and until October, with each event responding to the design and themes of the structure.The pavilion has been supported by Goldman Sachs and will be built with the support of technical advisor Aecom.