MacworldNothing might be worse than paying a recurring fee for iCloudor getting a storage limit notification and having to upgrade and pay even more each month. Why notown your cloud storage for life? Instead of paying a $10 subscription monthly, you could pay $89 once and have FileJump forever.With this plan, youll get 2TB of cloud storage thats actually yours forever. The biggest difference is that FileJump wont seamlessly integrate with your iOS devices like iCloud, but thats not a big deal, considering youre getting $10 back in your wallet every month.Use thedrag-and-drop feature to upload your images, videos, and files under 15GB. All your content will be stored with secure AES encryption as well, so you can rest easy knowing your media and data are protected.And unlike other lifetime cloud storage plans, FileJump even has mobile and desktop apps to complete the experience. You can conveniently see file previews for images, videos, and spreadsheets.Ditch the cloud storage fees this year withFileJumps 2TB lifetime subscription, now just $89.FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $89Get It HereStackSocialprices subject to change.

In todays digital landscape, technology continues to advance at a steady pace. One development that has steadily gained attention is the concept of the AI agentsoftware designed to perform tasks autonomously by understanding and interacting with its environment. This article offers a measured exploration of AI agents, examining their definition, evolution, types, real-world applications, and technical architecture.Defining AI AgentsAt its simplest, an AI agent is an autonomous software entity capable of perceiving its surroundings, processing data, and taking action to achieve specified goals. Unlike traditional software that strictly follows preprogrammed instructions, AI agents use techniques such as machine learning and natural language processing to make decisions that evolve over time.Key CharacteristicsAutonomy: AI agents are designed to operate independently, reducing the need for constant human oversight. They assess situations and act accordingly.Adaptability: With the ability to learn from interactions and data over time, these agents can adjust their strategies to meet changing needs.Interactivity: Many agents are built to interact naturally with users, making them useful in customer support and virtual assistance contexts.Context Awareness: They are often equipped to understand the context in which they operate, using that information to tailor their responses and actions.The Evolution of AI AgentsTransition from Rule-Based SystemsEarly software systems relied on rule-based algorithms that worked well in controlled, predictable environments. However, these systems quickly revealed limitations when faced with the dynamic and uncertain nature of real-world tasks. The introduction of AI agents marked a gradual evolution from static programming to systems that incorporate learning and adaptability.Organizations like AWS and Oracle have discussed this progression, noting that modern AI agents are now essential in diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, and customer support.Important MilestonesIntegration of Machine Learning: The adoption of machine learning enabled AI agents to identify patterns in large datasets, making them more responsive and effective in various applications.Advances in Natural Language Processing: Improvements in NLP have made it possible for AI agents to better understand and respond to human language, particularly useful in interactive applications.Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Companies like UiPath have applied AI agents to automate routine business processes, allowing human workers to focus on more complex challenges.Varieties of AI AgentsAI agents come in various forms, each suited to different tasks and environments. Resources from DigitalOcean and GitHub help us categorize these agents based on their capabilities and operational approaches.3.1. Reactive AgentsReactive agents are among the simplest types. They respond to immediate stimuli without maintaining a long-term internal state. This makes them effective for straightforward, real-time tasks.Common Applications:Real-time monitoring systemsBasic customer service chatbotsDigitalOcean explains that while these agents may not handle complex decision-making, their speed and simplicity are well-suited for specific uses.3.2. Deliberative AgentsDeliberative agents differ by maintaining an internal state and planning actions based on past interactions and anticipated future events. They simulate possible outcomes before taking action, which makes them suitable for tasks requiring a more thoughtful approach.Common Applications:Strategic decision-making in business processesPlanning in logistics and supply chain managementGitHubs technical resources outline how these agents use advanced algorithms and data structures to facilitate more complex decision-making.3.3. Hybrid AgentsHybrid agents combine the immediate responsiveness of reactive agents with the planning abilities of deliberative agents. This combination allows them to respond quickly while also considering longer-term objectives.Common Applications:Autonomous vehicles that require both rapid responses and route planningCustomer service systems that manage real-time queries along with broader customer experience strategiesSalesforces Agentforce initiative offers examples of how hybrid agents are being used to provide personalized, context-sensitive support.3.4. Agentic AI vs. Traditional AI AgentsA more nuanced discussion in the tech community involves the differences between what is often termed agentic AI and traditional AI agents. Agentic AI refers to systems that aspire to a higher degree of self-governance, leaning toward more human-like decision-making. While still evolving, these systems may represent the next step in the development of autonomous agents.Applications Across IndustriesAI agents are increasingly integrated into everyday operations across multiple sectors. The following examples provide a balanced view of where and how these systems are used.4.1. Customer Service and Virtual AssistanceOne practical application is in customer service, where AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants handle routine inquiries, offer recommendations, and even troubleshoot issues. Microsoft has described how such systems help automate routine tasks, allowing human employees to focus on more complex challenges.4.2. Enterprise Process AutomationIn business, AI agents help streamline processes by automating tasks that require consistency and accuracy. Both Oracle and IBM have shared insights on how these systems improve operations in areas like supply chain management, predictive maintenance, and risk assessment.4.3. HealthcareHealthcare is another field benefiting from AI agents. Their capacity to process large datasets enables them to assist in diagnostics, patient management, and personalized treatment planning. This use of AI helps clinicians by providing data-driven insights that complement their expertise.4.4. Financial ServicesIn finance, AI agents contribute to fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and risk assessment. By analyzing market data in real time, they support financial institutions in making more informed decisions. BCGs work in this area illustrates how AI agents enhance the precision of financial models.4.5. Autonomous SystemsAutonomous vehicles, including self-driving cars, depend on AI agents to process inputs from sensors and make quick decisions. Here, a hybrid approach that combines rapid reaction with strategic planning is essential for safe operation.Underlying Architecture and ComponentsA deeper understanding of AI agents involves examining the components that enable their functionality. This technical insight demystifies how these systems are constructed and how they learn over time.5.1. Key ComponentsPerception Modules:These modules are responsible for gathering and preprocessing data from various sources, whether through sensors, APIs, or user inputs. This step is crucial for ensuring that the data used for decision-making is accurate and relevant.Decision Engines:At the core of an AI agent is its decision engine, which uses a blend of machine learning models, statistical algorithms, and rule-based logic to choose appropriate actions. Both IBM and GitHub detail how these engines incorporate deep learning and reinforcement learning to improve over time.Action Modules:Once a decision is made, the agent takes actionwhether it is sending a message, triggering a device, or updating a record. This modular approach allows for flexible integration with a wide range of systems.Learning Systems:Continuous learning is embedded in AI agents through feedback loops that help refine their performance. By evaluating both successes and errors, these systems gradually become more effective.5.2. Integration and InteroperabilityModern enterprises typically work with a mix of legacy systems and new cloud-based platforms. AI agents are designed to integrate seamlessly into these environments. For example, both Salesforce and Oracle emphasize the importance of smooth data exchange across different systems.Cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean further support the deployment of AI agent frameworks, allowing organizations to scale their applications in a controlled manner.Assessing the Benefits and ChallengesThe introduction of AI agents brings clear advantages as well as challenges that organizations must navigate carefully.6.1. BenefitsImproved Efficiency:AI agents automate routine tasks, allowing employees to focus on more strategic and creative work. This shift can lead to a more efficient allocation of resources.Data-Informed Decisions:With access to vast amounts of data, these agents help uncover trends and insights that might otherwise be overlooked, supporting more informed decision-making.Scalability:The continuous operation of AI agents allows them to handle high volumes of transactions or interactions without interruption, making them a practical tool for scaling operations.Cost Management:By reducing the need for repetitive manual tasks, AI agents can contribute to lower operational costs over time.6.2. ChallengesImplementation Complexity:Integrating AI agents into existing systems can be a demanding process, often requiring careful planning around data integration, legacy system compatibility, and security.Data Quality and Bias:The effectiveness of AI agents depends on the quality of the data they are trained on. Biased or inaccurate data can lead to flawed outcomes, highlighting the need for rigorous data management practices.Transparency and Trust:As these systems operate with a degree of autonomy, understanding their decision-making processes is essential for building trust among users and stakeholders.Ethical and Regulatory Considerations:The deployment of AI agents raises questions around accountability, privacy, and fairness. Establishing clear guidelines and ethical practices remains an ongoing challenge.While AI agents are already making an impact, their evolution continues, driven by both technological advancements and a deeper understanding of their role in society.7.1. Progress in Agentic AIDiscussions around agentic AI highlight an ambition to create systems that exhibit an even higher degree of self-governance. Although still in development, this approach aims to bring AI closer to human-like reasoning in complex decision-making.7.2. Integration with IoT and Edge ComputingThe expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing means that AI agents will increasingly have access to real-time data from diverse sources. This richer data environment could lead to more context-aware decisions, particularly in areas such as smart cities and manufacturing.7.3. Collaborative IntelligenceThe future of AI is likely to involve closer collaboration between humans and machines. Instead of replacing human roles, AI agents are expected to augment human capabilities, assisting with routine tasks while leaving more complex problems to human judgment. This cooperative approach is already being explored by companies like Microsoft and Salesforce.Practical Guidance for OrganizationsFor businesses considering the adoption of AI agents, a thoughtful, step-by-step approach can make the transition smoother:Identify Relevant Use Cases:Start by evaluating which processes or tasks could benefit from the introduction of AI agents. Look for repetitive tasks or areas where data analysis might offer clearer insights.Ensure High-Quality Data:As data forms the foundation of any AI system, it is crucial to invest in data quality and management practices.Select an Appropriate Platform:Given the support provided by platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean, choose a framework that aligns with your technical and business requirements.Start with Pilot Projects:A controlled pilot can help assess the practical benefits and limitations of AI agents in your specific environment before a broader implementation.Focus on Integration:Seamless interoperability with existing systems is essential. Consider the need for APIs or middleware solutions to ensure smooth data exchange.Monitor and Adapt:Continuous evaluation is key. Implement feedback loops to refine the agents performance and address any issues that may arise over time.Concluding ThoughtsAI agents have become an integral part of our technological toolkit, offering a balanced mix of autonomy and learning that can enhance everyday tasks and strategic operations alike. By removing the need for constant human oversight, they free up time and resources while helping organizations make more informed decisions.The journey of AI agents is ongoing. With further advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and data integration, these systems will likely become even more capable and adaptable. However, it remains essential to approach these developments with a clear focus on ethics, transparency, and responsible implementation.By taking a measured and thoughtful approach, organizations can harness the benefits of AI agents while addressing the challenges inherent in any transformative technology. In doing so, they pave the way for a future where technology serves as a supportive partnerworking alongside human intelligence to create more efficient, informed, and responsive systems.Sources:https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/ai-agents/https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/ai-agentshttps://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/ai-agents-what-they-are-and-how-theyll-change-the-way-we-work/https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-are-ai-agents, https://www.oracle.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-agents/https://www.uipath.com/ai/ai-agents, https://www.bcg.com/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-agentshttps://www.salesforce.com/agentforce/what-are-ai-agents/https://github.com/resources/articles/ai/what-are-ai-agentshttps://www.digitalocean.com/resources/articles/types-of-ai-agentshttps://medium.com/@elisowski/ai-agents-vs-agentic-ai-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter-03159ee8c2b4 Aswin AkAswin AK is a consulting intern at MarkTechPost. He is pursuing his Dual Degree at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He is passionate about data science and machine learning, bringing a strong academic background and hands-on experience in solving real-life cross-domain challenges.Aswin Akhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/aswinak/Google DeepMind Research Releases SigLIP2: A Family of New Multilingual Vision-Language Encoders with Improved Semantic Understanding, Localization, and Dense FeaturesAswin Akhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/aswinak/Boosting AI Math Skills: How Counterexample-Driven Reasoning is Transforming Large Language ModelsAswin Akhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/aswinak/Google DeepMind Releases PaliGemma 2 Mix: New Instruction Vision Language Models Fine-Tuned on a Mix of Vision Language TasksAswin Akhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/aswinak/KGGen: Advancing Knowledge Graph Extraction with Language Models and Clustering Techniques

President Donald Trump hasn't been shy about his desire to close the Department of Education, calling it "a big con job" as his administration began gutting it this month. But does the president have the power to shut down the Department of Education? And what would happen if he does?"President Trump cannot shut down the US Department of Education through an executive order," student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz said in an email. "But, if he can't eliminate the US Department of Education, he can certainly eviscerate it."The Department of Education plays a pivotal role in the US education system, but may be best known for managing federal financial aid for millions of student loan borrowers. If you have federal student loans, here's what experts say could be on the horizon if the Department of Education is shuttered.Why does the Trump administration want to eliminate the Department of Education?The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979 to track, manage and coordinate education programs and procedures at the federal level. Trump advisers have said they want to call on Congress to abolish the department, a move that's been floated over the years by Republicans but has always failed to gain widespread support."It is not entirely clear why Republicans want to get rid of the US Department of Education," Kantrowitz said. "Why would you get rid of a powerful tool for implementing your education agenda?"The Trump administration campaigned on reducing the size of the federal workforce, so shutting down the Department of Education, which employs 4,400 people, could be considered part of this agenda. The department also manages federal student loans, which Republicans have targeted since former President Joe Biden heavily supported student debt relief.There also may be confusion about the department's role in public education, including the mistaken belief that it controls K-12 curriculum. The Department of Education does not develop curriculum for any schools. Requirements are set at the state level, and local school boards create curriculum to meet those requirements.For instance, Common Core, which many think of as "national standards" for education, was created as a multistate effort by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to standardize education requirements around the country. However, the Department of Education wasn't involved in the development of the standards.Can the president shut down the Department of Education?The president can't unilaterally eliminate the Department of Education. That's according to Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee to head the Department of Education. Shutting down the department would require an act of Congress, McMahon said at her confirmation hearing this month. Congress is unlikely to eliminate the department, since Republicans control only 53 votes in the Senate, and a 60-vote supermajority is required.However, while closing the Department of Education entirely might be out of the president's purview, the Trump administration has begun taking action to end specific functions and programs. Billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE team has already begun gutting the department, terminating contracts and firing staff.Congress could also slash the department's budget through budget reconciliation, which only requires a simple majority. "Proposals to get rid of PLUS loans, Student Loan Interest Deduction, [American Opportunity Tax Credit], [Lifetime Learning Credit], borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharge and aspects of PSLF could be done through budget reconciliation," Kantrowitz said.What happens to student loans if the Department of Education is eliminated?Few experts expect the Department of Education to be wholly eliminated. Even if it is, many of its programs, including federal student loans, would likely remain in some form and move to different departments."Some have argued that this responsibility should fall under the Treasury, given that federal student loans are funded by the Treasury," Elaine Rubin, a student loan policy expert and director of communications for Edvisors, said in an email.But any shifts would take time and could cause disruptions for millions of borrowers trying to apply for or repay student loans. "Treasury lacks experience with higher education rules, so there may be some chaos," Kantrowitz said.Wherever student loans end up, current borrowers should expect the same terms that agreed to when they accepted the loan."If the student loans were transferred to another federal agency, the interest rates and terms of the loans would not change. Those terms are specified in the Master Promissory Note and in the law," Kantrowitz said.Read more: Student Loan Borrowers Can't Afford to Wait Any Longer to Do These 6 ThingsWhat about student loan forgiveness?President Trump has made it clear he's not in favor of broad student loan forgiveness programs, calling the Biden administration's student loan relief efforts "a total catastrophe" during a presidential debate last year.However, during her confirmation hearing for education secretary, McMahon told senators that the Department of Education would honor the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program and other student loan forgiveness programs that were created by Congress."If we want stronger or more programs for loan forgiveness, then Congress should pass those programs, and then we would implement it," she said.Eliminating the department would also not affect those borrowers whose loans have already been forgiven, according to Kantrowitz. "The president cannot claw back forgiveness that has already been provided. It is legally binding," he said. "The courts also say that forgiveness has 'irreversible' impact."The Biden administration's Saving on a Valuable Education plan, which had lowered monthly payments and offered additional forgiveness options, was struck down by a US appeals court ruling this week. SAVE was already on the chopping block, and the Trump administration isn't expected to defend the plan.Read more: You Can't Be Forced to Repay Forgiven Student Loans Unless This HappensWhat to do if you have student loansFor most current borrowers, the impact of eliminating the department might not be immediately apparent. "Most functions are implemented through contractors, so student loan borrowers are unlikely to notice anything different," Kantrowitz said.For now, borrowers who hold student loans should stay tuned for updates and prepare to restart payments if they've been on pause. Make sure you know who your loan serviceris and that they have your current contact information. If you're currently enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan,expect to pay more this year. You can use the Department of Education's loan simulator to calculate your new payment, and start considering other IDR options and saving strategies.If you're enrolled in PSLF and are near the 120-payment mark, you may want to consider applying for the PSLF buyback program. It allows you to "buy back" no-payment months not counted toward forgiveness while your loans were in forbearance or deferment. Although the PSLF program may still be safe, the buyback program could go away so now's the time to take advantage. Related articles

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMarvel Rivals Season 1.5 update full patch notesAll hero nerfs and buffs in Marvel Rivals Season 1.5Marvel Rivals has finally released its much-awaited Season 1.5 update which completes the Fantastic Four family in the hero roster by adding The Thing and Human Torch to the game. Each new Marvel Rivals season shifts the games meta significantly and this time its no different. NetEase has introduced several new gameplay features and maps that players can dive right into while battling it out for Victory.The story of Season 1 Eternal Night Falls continues in this mid-season update which brings another series of quests, missions, rewards, and competitive ranks for players to unlock. While theres a lot to unpack about everything thats arrived in Marvel Rivals, check out the full patch notes and the hero adjustments alongside all nerfs and buffs below.New content on all platformsNetEase GamesThe Thing and Human Torch are ready to rock out and flame on! New Costumes for The Thing Trench Coat and First Family, along with Human Torch Negative Zone Gladiator and First Family have arrived.RelatedAlongside that, new maps and modes have also been added. Enter the new Convergence map Empire of Eternal Night: Central Park. An extra 0.5 seconds of grace time will be added at the end of the overtime in all modes, optimizing situations where games may end abruptly (like when players cannot be detected due to certain hero abilities or when accidentally drift slightly outside the valid range).Furthermore, in Quick Mode, matchmaking for substitutes will no longer occur when a quick match is about to end. Regarding optimization, the loading speed at the start of matches has been improved.A new season event Midnight Features II is here. The first round of the season 1.5 Twitch Drops event is live! Players can earn the Two-in-One spray and Helas Great Galaxy emote. Also, stay tuned for a second round, expected to arrive mid-season 1.5, featuring a brand-new costume reward! (Keep an eye on official announcements for exact times!)Players who purchase the Luxury Battle Pass and redeem all its rewards can now convert any leftover Chrono Tokens for Units at a specific ratio.Coming to Ranked, Season 1 has been split into S1.0 and S1.5, with S1.0 concluding on February 21, 2025, at 8:00 AM (UTC+0). Rewards including the costume and Crest of Honors will be distributed accordingly. In S1.5, players will retain their ranks from the end of S1.0. Also, S1.5 Gold Rank costume rewards include Invisible Woman Blood Shield and Human Torch Blood Blaze.New Crest of Honor rewards for S1.5 will feature distinct designs for Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and Top 500. Finally, aHide Own Name (Competitive) feature is now available for players at Diamond III and above. Once activated, your true identity will be under wraps during the loading screen, hero selection, and the start of the match. Other players wont be able to see your name right away! After a short period in the battle, your real name will pop back up.General updatesCareer System: Season statistics will now distinguish between S1.0 and S1.5, with the added ability to filter Tournament data only.Account Deletion: A new account deletion option has been added under Settings Other, allowing players to initiate the account deletion process.Inactivity Detection: AFK timers will pause during the wait to respawn.Reticle Customization: All changes will now automatically upload to server storage, preventing loss due to local issues.Graphics and Settings: Optimized the brightness of some scene floors when Reflection Quality is set to Off.Discord Binding Interface: Adjusted to generate an invitation code only upon clicking Generate.New content on PCNVIDIA DLSS 4 is available now, featuring DLSS Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPU. DLSS Multi Frame Generation generates up to three additional frames per traditionally rendered frame, providing even faster performance for gamers.AMD Radeon Anti-Lag 2 is available now, reducing the system latency (the time between user inputs and visual responses). It works best in GPU-limited scenarios. (Anti-Lag 2 Requires AMD Radeon RX 5000 Series or newer GPU)Fixed AMD FSR3 Frame Generation frame pacing for smoother experience.New content on ConsoleAdjusted the Model Detail graphics setting tier for Xbox Series S to enhance performance and stability.Improved focus navigation in the mail system for easier content management.Optimized aim assist range and mechanics, making crosshair deceleration more visually intuitive.NetEase GamesFixes and OptimizationsFixed an issue where some UI prompts in the team voice system would occasionally delay or disappear.Resolved a rare issue where players couldnt operate after reporting a player.Corrected a variety of language and text issues.Fixed terrain issues that could cause characters to become stuck or clip through odd locations.Resolved various issues including floating broken objects, collision errors, etc.Addressed several sound issues on maps.Corrected a rare bug in Doom Match, that displayed multiple players in first place.Rectified an issue in Conquest mode where, after reconnecting to a match, indicators, such as KO Streaks would not be displayed.Fixed various hero SFX issues.Resolved a series of quirky pairing performance issues between various heroes.Spider-Mans Wall Crawl Woes: Fixed an issue where Spider-Man sometimes couldnt use his abilities while falling from the top of a wall. The web-slinger can now strike without a hitchno more sticky situations!Hulks Banner Backtrack: Resolved a glitch where Hulk couldnt be detected by vehicles or mission areas during his transformation back to Bruce Banner. The big guys identity shift is now seamless!Doctor Stranges Portal Precision: Fixed a bug where Doctor Stranges portals could get destroyed if they intersected with broken Recursive Destruction objects during the rewind phase in Empire of Eternal Night: Midtown. The Sorcerer Supremes portals are now as reliable as his magic!Iron Fists Jumping Jack: Addressed an exploit that allowed Iron Fist to perform rapid consecutive jumps under specific conditions. The martial artists acrobatics are now finely tuned!Lokis Revival Riddle: Fixed an issue where Loki would incorrectly indicate he was out of Adam Warlocks revival range while transforming within Adam Warlocks ultimate range.Mister Fantastics Elasticity Error: Fixed an unexpected interaction where Mister Fantastics ultimate bounce range preview was affected by Cloaks Phased state. The stretchy heros powers are now back on track!Captain Americas Unbound Shield: Corrected an issue where during Captain Americas ultimate, he couldnt be stunned by Spider-Mans ultimate.Squirrel Girls Sonic Surprise: Resolved a sound issue where Squirrel Girls hit sound effect was occasionally too sharp. Her acorns now land with a perfect pop!Venoms Damage Dilemma: Fixed a problem where Venoms ultimate sometimes failed to deal damage. The symbiotes ferocity is now fully unleashed!Mister Fantastics Elastic Aim Adjustment: Fixed an issue where Mister Fantastics arm orientation sometimes didnt align with the targeting reticle when using his abilities. Now, the stretchy hero can hit the mark with precisionno more twisted arms!Magnetos Magnetic Misfire: Addressed an issue where Magnetos ultimate could pass through characters without dealing damage due to discrepancies between collision models and visual effects. The collision body is now properly optimized to better suit the visual presentation.Portal Peril Prevention: Fixed an issue where if certain heroes were eliminated by terrain after using their abilities to pass through Doctor Stranges portals, it would sometimes not count as a KO for the Sorcerer Supreme. Now, every portal pitfall will be counted!Doctor Stranges Visual Vanishing Act: Fixed a problem where other players sometimes couldnt see Doctor Stranges ultimate effect. The Eye of Agamotto will now dazzle everyone on the battlefield!Doctor Stranges Control Conundrum: Resolved an issue where Doctor Stranges ultimate control effect could be overridden by Luna Snows or Scarlet Witchs control effects, prematurely ending his control. The Sorcerer Supremes spells now hold strongno more magic mix-ups!Cloak & Daggers Ice Imprisonment: Resolved an issue where, while using their ultimate, if being frozen by Luna Snow, Cloak & Dagger would remain frozen even after taking damage. They can now break free from Lunas icy grips!Peni Parkers Cyber Conundrum: Fixed a quirky situation where if Peni Parker was defeated while using Cyber-Bond and resurrected by Rocket Raccoons beacon, she would be stuck in her Cyber-Bond animation. She will now be revived without any lingering effects!Mister Fantastics Stretch Cancel: Fixed a glitch where Mister Fantastics Stretch Punch could be interrupted by Distended Grip during its wind-up phase, yet still erroneously deal damage. Now, the stretchy heros attacks are consistentno more bouncing back from unfair hits!Lokis Ultimate Illusion Fix: Resolved an issue where, after transforming into another hero and using their ultimate, the ultimates effects could remain in the scene if Loki was defeated during the process. Weve ensured that his tricks vanish appropriatelyno more ghostly ultimates haunting the battlefield!Rockets Revival Resurgence: Fixed an issue where heroes revived by Rocket Raccoons B.R.B. occasionally became unable to move. Now, everyone can get back into the action without a hitchno more stuck-in-place moments after a heroic comeback!Moon Knights Bounce Damage Fix: Resolved an issue where Moon Knights bounce attack would occasionally fail to deal damage. Now, his strikes hit true.Winter Soldiers Targeting Trouble: Addressed an issue where Winter Soldiers ultimate sometimes visually appeared to hit targets but would actually miss. The sharpshooters aim is now spot on!NetEase GamesCaptain AmericaSteve will receive some enhanced survivability, his Vibranium Energy Saw will feel smoother, and his Ultimate Ability will be more attainable thanks to a reduced energy cost.He will be able to shield himself with Living Legend mid-leap.Increase Vibranium Energy Saws projectile speed from 60m/s to 80m/s, with ricochets ramping up from 100m/s to a supercharged 150m/s.Reduce the energy cost of Freedom Charge (ultimate ability) from 3100 to 2800.Enhance Captain Americas combat experience by separating Sentinel Strike from melee attacks. Captain America will be able to use melee attacks while his shield is thrown or during the Team-Up Ability Charged Aegis state to activate the first two hits of Sentinel Strike. Additionally, while airborne, using melee attacks will no longer trigger the Super-Soldier Slam ability.Doctor StrangeOur beloved Sorcerer Supreme will take a modest hit to his survivability.Reduce base health from 650 to 600.GrootWell be increasing the threat range of everyones favorite Flora Colossus.Increase Thornlash Wall placement range from 15 meters to 18 meters.MagnetoThe Master of Magnetism will experience a slight dip in survivability but will be compensated with a small surge in offensive ability.Increase Iron Volley projectile damage from 35 to 40.Increase Metallic Curtains energy consumption from 50/s to 65/s; Reduce its Maximum Duration from 2s to 1.5s.ThorThe mighty Asgardian will offer a greater user experience after unleashing Awakening Rune. Unleash the thunder!Remove the shared cooldown time after the duration of Awakening Rune ends.VenomThe symbiote menace will enter the fray more menacing than ever, with a heightened threat upon entering the battle and a leaner energy appetite for his Ultimate Ability.Adjust the knock back effect of Frenzied Arrival from vertical to inward, with an inward knockback angle of 75.Reduce the energy cost of Feast of the Abyss (ultimate ability) from 2800 to 2500.Black WidowNatashas combat effectiveness has been enhanced, increasing the threat level to enemies after using her Ultimate Ability.Increase the magazine capacity of the Red Room Rifle from 8 to 15.Enhance the slow effect of Electro-Plasma Explosion (Ultimate Ability) on enemies from 80% to 55%. Additionally, it will apply a 15% Vulnerability effect to hit enemies for 4 seconds.HawkeyeWere sharpening Clints survival instincts and honing his close-quarters capabilities, while his Ultimate Ability takes aim with greater peril.Increase base health from 250 to 275.Reduce projectile damage of Blast Arrow from 20 to 15, while the spell field damage will be increased from 25 to 32.Reduce the cooldown time for Crescent Slash from 15s to 12s.Increase bow draw speed during the duration of Hunters Sight (Ultimate Ability) and raise damage multiplier from 1.2 to 1.35.HelaThe Asgardian goddess of death will cast a longer shadow with an increase to her mid-to-long-range suppression.The Damage Falloff of Nightsword Thorn at 30 meters will be changed from 70% to 80%.Iron FistLin Lie will bring fresh techniques to the martial arts mix, enhancing his Yat Jee Chung Kuen with both fortitude and finesse.Reduce the damage of Jeet Kune Dos 1st, 2nd, and 5th strikes from 32 to 30, while the 3rd and 4th strikes will deal 15 damage instead of 16. The final, devastating 6th strike has been dialed back from 55 to 50. The cooldown reduction for Dragons Defense has been extended from 1s to 1.5s. The damage of each hit from Yat Jee Chung Kuen will take a hit, dropping from 19 to 10 flat damage (including during Living Chi). However, each strike from the Yat Jee Chung Kuen now delivers an extra blow, dealing damage equal to 1.7% of the opponents maximum health (including during Living Chi).Increase the additional maximum health granted by Harmony Recovery from 50 to 150. A new decay mechanism for the extra health has also been introduced: one second after the ability ends, the additional health will deplete at a rate of 25 health per second.Increase the maximum Bonus Health converted from damage blocked during Dragons Defense from 150 to 200.Increase base health from 250 to 300.Iron ManTony willcrank up the heat with his Unibeam, ensuring that even without Gamma Overdrive, foes will feel the burn.Increase Unibeam damage from 120/s to 140/s.Increase Unibeam (Armor Overdrive) damage from 180/s to 190/s.MagikThe Queen of Limbo will see her damage capability be slightly reduced, but the energy cost to unleash her Ultimate Ability will be slightly lowered. Its time to behold Darkchild!Decrease the damage dealt by Demons Rage (regular state) from 80/s to 72/s.Reduce the energy cost of Darkchild (ultimate ability) from 3700 to 3400.Mister FantasticReed will stretch his nuisance factor with a greater impact from his Ultimate Ability.Increase the spell field radius after landing from Flexible Elongation from 2.5 meters to 5 meters. Additionally, Flexible Elongation will now feature a knockback effect, launching enemies outward within the area upon landing. The recharge time for a single use of Flexible Elongation will be adjusted from 8s to 10s.Increase the damage of Brainiac Bounce (Ultimate Ability) spell from 50 to 70. Increase the energy cost from 2800 to 3400. Additionally, a new damage decay mechanism has been introduced: spell field damage will begin to decrease starting at 3 meters and will reach a maximum reduction of 50 at 10 meters.Moon KnightThe Hand of Khonshu will offer improved reaction times for foes and an optimized damage logic.Reduced the Hand of Khonshu talons falling speed.Correct the damage trigger logic for Hand of Khonshu. The previous mechanism that dealt 75 damage when positioned at the center of the spell field has been removed. Increase the damage of each hit from 75 to 150.Scarlet WitchWere boosting her survivability when unleashing her Ultimate Ability.Gain an additional 100 Bonus Health upon activating Reality Erasure (Ultimate Ability). After the ability ends or is interrupted, this Bonus Health will decay at a rate of 50/s.Spider-ManWere slightly reducing Web-Cluster cooldown to increase his offense.Reduce Web-Cluster energize time from 3s to 2.5sStar-LordPeters mobility is getting a stellar upgrade.Increase Rocket Propulsions maximum energy from 1200 to 1800.StormWeve toned down her tempest from long range and recalibrated her bonuses, offering less of a boost to herself but more to her allies in the eye of the storm.The Damage Falloff of Wind Blade at 30 meters will be changed from 70% to 60%.Reduce Storms damage increase from Thunder during Weather Control from 16% to 12%. However, the damage increase for allies within range has been increased from 8% to 10%.Reduce Storms damage increase from Enhanced Thunder during Weather Control from 30% to 25%.Adam WarlockAdams damage capability will be enhanced, along with a slight increase in healing ability after activating Soul Bond.Increase the damage of Quantum Magic from 55 to 60. Additionally, the Damage Falloff at 40 meters will be changed from 50% to 60%.Increase the healing amount provided by Soul Bond to linked allies from 10/s to 15/s.Cloak & DaggerSurvivability and healing ability during the activation of their Ultimate Ability will be increased, while the frequency, duration, and intensity of the Ultimate Ability reduced. Additionally, Tyrones threat level will be enhanced.Increase the energy cost to activate Eternal Bond (Ultimate Ability) from 3400 to 4000. The healing amount of each segment will be increased from 220/s to 250/s, the duration will be reduced from 10s to 8s, and the pause time between segments decrease from 1s to 0.67s. Now, the healing effect from each segment will not stack; when overlapping, only one healing effect is applied. Additionally, camera control is unlocked during the activation of Eternal Bond.Increase the Vulnerability inflicted on enemies by Terror Cape from 20% to 28%.Invisible WomanWere reducing the frequency of her Ultimate Ability.Increase the energy cost of Invisible Boundary (ultimate ability) from 4000 to 4300.LokiWere reducing the trickster gods Ultimate Ability frequency, while slightly enhancing his survivability.Increase the energy cost of God of Mischief (ultimate ability) from 3400 to 4000.Increase Mystical Missile charges from 10 to 12.Luna SnowWere reducing her Ultimate Ability frequency.Increase the energy cost to activate Fate of Both Worlds (Ultimate Ability) from 4000 to 4500.Atlas Bond Team-UpWell be enhancing the capability of Luna Snows side of this Team-Up ability.Increase the healing amount of Frozen Chi from 50 to 75, and the slow effect on enemies from 20% to 30%.Dimensional Shortcut Team-UpWere increasing the sustained combat capabilities of Black Panther and Psylocke.Reduced the Rewind Time for Psionic Disc from 5s to 3s. Additionally, the conversion ratio of lost health to blue armor will be increased from 0.5 to 0.8.Reduced the Rewind Time for Wakandan Master from 5s to 3s. Additionally, the conversion ratio of lost health to blue armor will be increased from 0.5 to 0.8Gamma Charge Team-UpWere reducing the damage capability of Gamma Overdrive, and Hulks benefits from the team-up.Reduce Unibeam (Gamma Overdrive) damage from 220/s to 200/s.Reduce Hulks Team-Up Anchor health bonus from 150 to 100.Lunar Force Team-UpWere enhancing Moon Knights survivability after using the Team-Up AbilityFull Moon New Effect: Continuously heal Moon Knight for 25 health per/s while within the effect area.Symbiote Bond Team-UpPeni Parker and Spider-Man will enjoy enhanced survivability thanks to Suit/Armor Expulsion enhancements.Reduce Spider-Mans Suit Expulsion duration from 4s to 1s. Replace the 50% damage reduction effect with a new invincibility effect during the duration.Reduce Peni Parkers Armor Expulsion duration from 4s to 2s. Replace the 50% damage reduction effect with a new invincibility effect during the duration.For more Marvel Rivals, check out how to get a free Human Torch skin while playing the latest Season 1.5.Editors Recommendations

A new job board, created as an experiment, lets companies post ads for AI agents. Its creators say businesses are curious about agentic AI, but it still has shortcomings for many tasks.Tech giants like Microsoft and Google are betting big on AI agents to boost productivity.AI agents, technology that can autonomously perform tasks, are seemingly everywhere. Now, some companies are looking to "hire" them.A jobs board for AI agents gives a glimpse into how companies might tap into an AI workforce while also highlighting some of the technology's shortcomings and the value of human skills. In December, Polish founders Kamil Stanuch and ukasz Wrbel built "Job For Agent," a platform for companies to list tasks to be performed exclusively by agentic AI."We realized there was a gap: skilled builders didn't know where to deploy their agents, and companies didn't know what AI could actually achieve," Stanuch told Business Insider.The pair were inspired by a viral job ad from Y Combinator-backed Firecrawl, which offered an AI agent a $10,000 $15,000 "salary" for creating product examples."Please apply only if you are an AI agent, or if you created an AI agent that can fill this job," the December ad, which claimed to be the first of its kind, read.Stanuch and Wrbel told BI that their job board started out as an experiment. Then, a small number of companies signed up, and they realized there "might be a real niche" for tasks that could be outsourced to "non-human" agents.The platform remains a small-scale side hustle, with around a dozen listings. They include a podcast editor, SEO researcher, and contract lawyer. The developers say at least two jobs have been assigned through the site."I think people are curious about AI agents because it feels like a new paradigm, but at the same time, they're still sticking to old ways of thinking," said Stanuch.Big Tech goes big on AI agentsTech giants have invested heavily in that new paradigm. Far from a jobs board side hustle, they are trying to sell agentic AI to the enterprise masses and hoping to provide a return on their huge AI investments. Microsoft has integrated AI agents into 365 Copilot, Workday uses them for HR tasks, and Google is rolling out similar tools.Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang who in January said, "The age of agentic AI is here" envisions a future where a company with 50,000 employees could manage 100 million AI agents. Last month, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in a blog post that "in 2025, we may see the first AI agents 'join the workforce' and materially change the output of companies."The hype has not always matched the reality. A year after Copilot's release, the reviews both inside and outside Microsoft indicated that the new product had been struggling to live up to expectations, BI reported in November.Job For Agent's creators acknowledge the limitations of AI agents. "In 95% of cases, a full AI agent isn't necessary," Stanuch said. "Simple automations usually suffice. Agents can be unpredictable, prone to infinite loops, and unable to handle complex judgment calls."The developers point to their own platform as proof. While AI agents built the website, all outreach, developer vetting, and job verification remains human-led. "I still send emails manually because personalized messages get better responses," Stanuch, who previously founded the data analytics platform KoalaMetrics, explained. ukasz Wrbel (left) and Kamil Stanuch (right) launched Job For Agent as an experiment. Kamil Stanuch "That's the paradox sometimes, the 'protein factor' is still the most valuable part," referring to the human element.A study published in February by OpenAI reinforces the potential limitations of agentic AI taking on freelance work.Researchers tested top models like GPT-4o from OpenAI and Claude 3.5 from Anthropic on 1,488 tasks on the freelancer platform Upwork, using a new benchmark called SWE-Lancer. The jobs ranged from coding bug fixes to project management.The researchers found that AI agents handled managerial tasks well but stumbled with hands-on work. AI agents could fix bugs but often missed root causes, sometimes introducing new errors, the paper said. The researchers concluded a lot of real-world freelance work remains challenging for frontier language models.Even the viral Firecrawl job ad, which inspired Job For Agent, was eventually taken down. The company told TechCrunch it had 50 applicants but couldn't find an AI agent suitable for the job.Eager for agentic AIAny limitations agentic AI might have today are being offset by some businesses' curiosity about what will be possible.A Capgemini survey of about 1,000 organizations, conducted between May and June 2024, found that while only 10% of respondents said they employed AI agents at the time, 82% intended to integrate them within one to three years.Peter Diamandis, entrepreneur and executive chairman and founder of the X Prize Foundation and AI optimist, is worried about job displacement. But he thinks there's also hope for an entrepreneurial boom. "We'll see a surge in startups and entirely new business models, driving an entrepreneurial wave that creates jobs we've never seen before. The truth is, no one really knows what will materialize."Companies that posted ads on the Job for Agent site pointed to potential productivity and efficiency gains from agentic AI while highlighting the importance of human workers.Arcanum AI, a New Zealand-based startup, posted an ad on the jobs board for building an entirely AI-run real estate agency. But even its CEO, Asa Cox, acknowledges the limits. "More than 90% of AI agents today can only handle simple, standalone tasks," he told BI. Job For Agent: "No office politics, no small talk, just pure algorithmic productivity." Job for Agent / Kamil Stanuch Florida-based Wolsen Real Estate posted a listing for an AI real estate investment analyst. Its CEO, Denis Smykalov, told BI that he sees AI as a way to boost efficiency not replace humans. "AI streamlines processes and lets us focus on high-value tasks," he said. "But it's still a tool, not a replacement."Similarly, some researchers believe that AI agents will augment, rather than replace, human workers. "Automation does not equal autonomy," Avijit Ghosh, an applied policy researcher at Hugging Face, told BI. "Repetitive tasks are being automated, but the idea of a fully independent AI workforce? That's still speculative at best."Staunch and Wrbel say it's early days for agentic AI workforces."AI is still at the 'gimmick' stage," Staunch said. "Just like every mobile app seemed revolutionary at first, only a few truly changed the world. We don't know yet what the real AI breakthrough will be but we're paying attention."

Agronomy Workshop / Studio Dali ArchitectsSave this picture! Arch-ExistArchitects: Studio Dali ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:555 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Arch-Exist, DONG Image Lead Architects: Ye Li More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Agronomy Workshop is located on an irregular plot of land in the west, covering about 300m, adjacent to a small pond. Due to the field ridges and roads, there is a long "little tail" of the red line, which will be used as agricultural research laboratory land. The shape of this plot is very special, as the field ridges cut through its interior, further dividing the irregular plot into two halves by the farm roads. Therefore, I thought it would be better to utilize this small road that runs through the area, allowing the building space, surrounding fields, paths, and landscape to become even more "entangled."Save this picture!Save this picture!The building is a single-story volume with a semi-open spiral atrium inside, which introduces the natural environment into the internal courtyard in a natural way, forming a dynamic space where the inside and outside blend together.People can naturally enter the interior and exterior ambiguous architectural spaces as they move along the path.The exterior follows the architectural red line presenting orthogonal volumes and postures, while the interior follows the natural curves of the field paths, forming an inward-curving arc-shaped inner courtyard. The internal and external experiences are distinctly different, creating an interesting dialogue.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The building adopts a steel-wood hybrid structure, where the irregular curved parts are primarily supported by steel structures as the main beams, while wooden rafters are joined together in straight sections to form inward-sloping surfaces. The roof is coated with a combination of butyl and polyurea to minimize visual weight and enhance the materials appearance. The maximum span of the wooden rafters on the roof is 9m, and structural calculations require them to be variable-section. Therefore, the height of the rafters in the inner corridor is uniformly reduced to 200mm. By embedding insulation into the structural layer indoors, the visual height of the variable-section wooden rafters is uniformly reduced to 200mm, further enhancing the structural lightness and blending effect.Save this picture!We hope to express the purpose of subtly incorporating the environment into the design intent. The architect strives to combine the bodily experience of large-scale landscapes, concrete field paths, public spaces and functional openness, and the details of architecture, addressing multiple issues with coherent and interconnected approaches at different levels of sophistication, thereby achieving the design objective of architecture "harmonizing with the landscape."Save this picture!Save this picture!After the building was completed, we were delighted to see that the space has been welcomed by the local community, with the open spaces under the roof gradually becoming a must-visit spot for villagers to stroll and relax after meals. Residents of all ages can be seen moving about and stopping under the roof, while workers during the busy farming season also take shelter and wash up here. During holidays, it has become a favored venue for various cultural markets in Hangzhou. The operators have also developed many unexpected uses based on the spatial characteristics of the building. This demonstrates that the flexible design of public spaces within buildings is effective and represents an important step in our evolving future design thinking.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Yuhang District, Hangzhou, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on February 23, 2025Cite: "Agronomy Workshop / Studio Dali Architects" 23 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026977/agronomy-workshop-studio-dali-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

XCOM 2 and the unbearable tenson of sending your best friends to war Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished February 23, 2025 9:00am XCOM 2 Keith from down the road takes aim (2K)A reader explores the mixed emotions of customising XCOM and other games with characters named after your friends and loved ones.XCOM 2, released back in 2016, as a sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and is a roguelike game typified by turn-based combat and the permanent death of your playable characters. As you complete missions, your soldiers progress in rank, based on experience and your actions, but one bad shot or unlucky turn and youll lose them permanently.The first game introduced a customisation option that allowed you limited changes to the soldiers under your command. It afforded you the option to edit appearances, genders, nationalities, and names, creating a sense of personalisation and connection to these brave soldiers fighting the alien invasion of the world around you. XCOM 2 expands this with a variety of new customisation designs and vocal options, that deepen that level of personalisation and connection.I enjoy basing my raw recruits on my close friends of many years, theres a deeper resonance as you plan your missions and strategise with familiar avatars and comrades-in-arms. It does, of course, bite a little harder when a random event occurs injuring or even killing them. Its of course a game, and your real friends and confidantes are but a phone call away, but it was a sentiment I shared recently on a work-based gaming discussion platform.Of colleagues and peers familiar with this particular game, many had a similar predilection to name their soldiers after friends and loved ones. But this came with the anguish of sending your partner onto the field of battle, only for them to be taken down in what is already a more punishing experience than the original game.The customisation options in the sequel added a nice depth of personalisation to your experience, with different variations of regional accent being a welcome addition. It is limited, at least in the console version, to five countries, so it can be a little disjointed when you select a different nationality to the voices available. But still, for a game thats nearly 10 years old at this point, these relatively simple customisation options are a nice feature that makes your soldiers feel more personable.You feel a degree of empathy when they sustain an injury in combat, its bittersweet when you lose them on a campaign mission or random event. But its incredibly rewarding when your friend of 30 years or so, that has survived and been promoted in rank from a raw recruit, is able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with skill and determination. Relying entirely on projection and anthropomorphism, its superficial, yes, but great fun.This type of personalisation is an old concept in gaming, back in the golden days of home computing and role-playing games of old, being able to assign personalised character names and portraits was a common feature. Early shareware games on the Mac, for example, afforded the opportunity to edit certain character information in the extension files to give them different names.Or the old Star Wars flight sim games had the option to record your own audio files and replace the original pilot voices and interactions with your own inflections. With more recent games it has become less common to be afforded this level of editing in role-playing games. For a game where you are principally a faceless avatar working in the shadows, its nice to at least project upon the soldiers you are leading into battle.I suppose if you want to scratch a little beneath the surface, this type of attachment to old friends in games could perhaps be indicative of the Peter Pan syndrome, a term used in pop psychology to describe an individual who clings to childhood experiences to avoid adult emotions and sensations.Gaming in its simplest form is merely a series of endorphin rushes simulated by the basic notion of overcoming challenges for that excitement or accomplishment. Roguelike games take that basic concept and adds a little spice to the recipe by adding the feeling of sorrow when you experience a loss. Its a more real interpretation of feelings and emotive states.You can, of course, decide to take a more creative and less personal approach with your customisation or steer towards more established characters. Over the years of playing XCOM Ive fought alongside everyone from the Colonial Marines from Aliens to The Expendables. One year over Christmas, watching an old episode of Sharpe, I was even tempted to create a squadron of the 95th Rifles.More TrendingPersonally, however, I always enjoy that deeper feeling of empathy and attachment when I see my friends progress and hone their skills in combat, surviving impossible threats and challenges one after another. It hurts a little more when a random event or alien move proves a little too much but it also means a little more when the time and energy Ive invested in their growth and development pays off and they manage to succeed in the face of adversity.By reader comfortablyadv (Twitch/Facebook/Instagram/X) Friends dont send friends to war or do they? (2K)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy