Detail of Lee Jeans. All images courtesy of the artist and Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery, New York, shared with permissionLoosely Woven Burlap Mimics Digital Pixels in Jennifer J. Lees Photorealistic PaintingsFebruary 26, 2025ArtKate MothesOn the loosely woven surface of jute burlap, Brooklyn-based artist Jennifer J. Lee paints photorealistic scenes that explore the saturation of images in contemporary experience. The fabrics gridded structure conjures associations with pixellated screens, playing with the relationship between digital and analog representations of everyday objects.Recent paintings, nearly a dozen of which were on view in the artists solo exhibition at Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, highlight a personal glimpse of nostalgia, a fascination with the act of looking, and seemingly banal imagery transfigured into symbolic references and objects.Acid Jeans (2024), oil on jute, 16 12 inchesLees paintings starkly contrast the instant gratification of scrolling through endless images, challenging the speed at which we consume information. She describes her process as a form of waking meditation and sustained observation, translating digital pixels into hand-painted brushstrokes and stretching fabric to simulate screens.The artists technical ability to translate finite details onto a relatively rugged surface speaks to the time and attention required to produce a single painting. Small in scale, her pieces reveal surprising interactions between the objects surfaces and the woven jute.Denim, for example, sports its own signature weave, which in works like Acid Jeans seems to somehow exist in both harmony and opposition with the burlap. Portraying a smooth object in Security Mirror presents the challenge of making glass appear polished while nodding to the graininess we associate with CCTV footage. And a bunch of footprints in sand suggest another kind of graininess altogether, the shadows and subtle colors of which seem to vibrate or flicker thanks to the low-thread-count jute weave.Lees recent paintings harken back to Y2K, an era on the cusp of immense technological and social change as personal computers, mobile phones, and the internet became more widely available, spawning the social media platforms we still use todayalbeit profoundly changed since they first emerged. Find more on Instagram.Security Mirror (2024), oil on jute, 13 13 inchesPizza (2024), oil on jute, 12 20 inchesBeach (2024), oil on jute, 12 21 inchesTennis (2024), oil on jute, 22 15 inchesDetail of PizzaLee Jeans (2024), oil on jute, 15 13 inchesDetail of TennisNext article

Recommended Published February 26, 2025 8:00am EST close Autonomous robotaxi successfully completes 75 mph highway testing A company is closer to putting self-driving robotaxis on the highway. Ever wonder when you'll actually see self-driving robotaxis on the highway?Well, Motional is getting closer.Its IONIQ 5 robotaxi just nailed high-speed tests, cruising at 75 mph. This is a big deal for its goal of making transportation safer and easier for everyone.STAY SAFE & IN THE KNOW AT NO COST! SUBSCRIBE TO KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT FOR FREE SECURITY ALERTS & TECH TIPS IONIQ 5 robotaxi (Motional)From urban streets to highway speedsMotional has been steadily expanding its testing grounds, moving from busy urban centers like Singapore, Boston and Las Vegas to now include highway environments. This progression reflects the company's commitment to developing autonomous vehicles capable of handling a wide range of real-world scenarios.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?The recenthigh-speed tests were conducted at Hyundai's Proving Grounds in California City, California, utilizing a 6.4-mile oval track. This testing was made possible through Motional's strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Group and collaboration with Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. IONIQ 5 robotaxi (Motional)Safety first: A data-driven approachBefore the vehicles hit the track, Motional's engineering team employed a rigorous, data-driven process to ensure safety. Custom simulation tools were used for vigorous validation, followed by the collection of performance data on lateral and longitudinal control. The team gradually increased speed and test complexity, carefully tuning braking, acceleration and steering for optimal high-speed operations. This meticulous approach underscores Motional's unwavering commitment to safety in autonomous vehicle development.Beyond speed: Comfort and scalabilityWhile achieving high speeds is impressive, Motional's focus extends beyond mere velocity. The company emphasizes the importance of passenger comfort and enjoyment in their autonomous vehicles. To this end, Motional incorporates non-engineer feedback on ride comfort and conducts data analysis comparing rider feedback to system performance.Furthermore, they are leveraging machine learning to predict rider responses to various events. This comprehensive approach aims to create not just safe but also comfortable and enjoyable autonomous rides.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE IONIQ 5 robotaxi (Motional)The road aheadMotional's successful high-speed testing is a crucial step toward commercial highway operations for autonomous vehicles. By expanding its capabilities from urban environments to highway speeds, Motional is paving the way for broader applications of its driverless technology.Kurt's key takeawaysMotional's high-speed robotaxi testing, reaching speeds of 75 mph, is a major milestone for self-driving cars. They're wisely focused on safety and comfort alongside speed. This really pushes the technology and shapes how we'll get around in the future.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWould you trust a robotaxi at 75 mph? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Chief information security officers (CISOs) and other security buyers and leaders seem increasingly inclined to earmark more money to address threats arising from insider risk, according to a study, the 2025 Cost of insider risks global report, published this week by topic specialist DTEX Systems and analysts at the Ponemon Institute.DTEXs annual survey of almost 350 organisations around the world found that the average annual cost of insider threats reached $17.4m (13.7m) last year, and in responding to these growing costs, average insider risk spend doubled from 8.2% of the total cyber budget in 2023 to 16.5% in 2024.And there is evidence that these higher spending levels may be paying off, because for the first time since the reports inception six years ago, the average time taken to contain an insider incident dropped, and now stands at 81 days it was 86 in 2023.DTEX said users were clearly increasingly aware that they needed to adopt insider risk management services, with 81% saying they now either had or were planning an insider risk management programme.Of those that already had one, 65% said it was the only security strategy that had enabled them to pre-empt a data breach by providing early warning signals. Additionally, when breaches did occur, 61% said such strategies had been helpful in protecting their organisations reputation, and 59% said they had suffered lower financial losses from incidents.With escalating foreign interference, global remote workforces and a rapidly shifting political landscape, the need for proactive insider risk management has never been greater, said DTEX CEO Marshall Heilman. Insider-driven security incidents result in significant financial and reputational costs. However, organisations investing in dedicated insider risk management programs are achieving faster containment or preventing incidents entirely a decisive win in the fight against data loss.The findings underscore the importance of insider risk management as an essential component of security, and highlight key opportunities for governments, critical infrastructure and commercial organisations to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity in an increasingly volatile threat landscape, he said.Read more about insider riskDetecting threats coming from inside the organisation presents unique challenges. Insider threat hunting helps identify potential threat actors and proactively deal with them.An IT incident that disrupted visitor access to the British Museum in January was the work of a disgruntled contractor who had been let go.From disgruntled employees to compromised users to third-party vendors, here are six types of insider threats and best practices to mitigate the issues.In terms of the cyber technology being deployed to address insider threat, DTEX and the Ponemon Institute found that data loss prevention (DLP) tools, user and entity behaviour analytics (UEBA) services, and user activity monitoring policies were the most deployed solutions, in use at 56%, 51% and 49% of surveyed organisations respectfully. Users are also spending on endpoint detection and response (EDR), privileged access management (PAM), and security information and event management as safeguards against insider risk.Buyers said they tended to select these technologies based on cost savings, reduced complexity, and faster time to detection.Additionally, the survey found that 54% of organisations are using artificial intelligence (AI) to some degree in an attempt to detect and prevent insider risks. Out of this group, 51% said they believed AI and machine learning were either absolutely essential or very important tools in this regard. They particularly valued AIs potential to reduce investigation times, improve behavioural insights, and lower skillsets needed for their own analysts.Although insider threat is a global issue, there are growing concerns in the United States that the ongoing mass layoffs across the federal government orchestrated by the unelected, far-right tech billionaire Elon Musk via his so-called DOGE group, is not only leaving Americas government agencies understaffed and unprotected against external cyber security threats, but may also be increasing the potential for insider threat as well.Citing a report compiled by Mimecast, CSO Magazine this week reported that under ordinary circumstances up to 80% of departing workers remove intellectual property (IP) or other forms of data when they exit. Given the chaos, controversy, and recriminations surrounding the Musk-led layoffs, this figure may rise.

andreusK - stock.adobe.comOpinionEverything, everywhere, all at once: automated decision-making in public servicesDespite the UK governments fervent embrace of artificial intelligence, there is still little meaningful transparency around the scope of the technology's deployment throughout public servicesByJasleen Chaggar,Big Brother WatchPublished: 26 Feb 2025 Last month, the UK government announced plans to "mainlineAIinto the veins" of the nation and "revolutionise howAIis used in the public sector." Despite this very public commitment, government departments have been laying the groundwork of this adoption for years, experimenting with algorithmic tools behind closed doors.This spectre of AI pulling the strings on decisions about our health, welfare, education and justice without our knowledge or scrutiny is a Kafkaesque nightmare. Only now are we starting to get a picture of how they are being used.Since February 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has required all central government departments to publish clear information about their use of algorithmic tools on the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) Hub. However, so far only 47 records have been made public by various government departments over half of which were published since the start of this year.This insouciance towards transparency is particularly alarming, given reports that AI pilots intended for the welfare system are being quietly shelved due to "frustrations and false starts."The recent additions to ATRS reveal that the government is using algorithmic tools to influence critical decisions, including which benefits claimants qualify for employment and support allowance (ESA), which schoolchildren are at risk of becoming 'NEET' (not in education, employment, or training), and the sentences and licence conditions that should be given to offenders.With so little information available it is worth asking: how many government departments are secretly using algorithms to make decisions about our lives?At the same time as it is pushing the mass adoption of AI in the public sector, the government is pushing through legislation that would weaken existing protections against automated decision-making (ADM).The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) currently prohibits any solely automated process making significant decisions. This protects us from "computer says no" scenarios where we face adverse outcomes without any real understanding of the reasoning behind them. The Data Use and Access Bill (DUAB) currently progressing through the House of Commons would remove this protection from a vast swathe of decision-making processes, leaving us exposed to discrimination, bias and error without any recourse to challenge it.The Bill would allow solely automated decision-making, provided it does not process 'special category data.' This particularly sensitive sub-category of personal data includes biometric and genetic data; data concerning a person's health, sex life or sexual orientation and data which reveals racial or ethnic origin; political religious or philosophical beliefs; and trade union membership.Whilst stringent protections for these special categories of data are sensible, automated decisions using non-special category data can still produce harmful and discriminatory outcomes.For example, the Dutch childcare benefits scandal involved the use of a self-learning algorithm which disproportionately flagged low-income and ethnic minorities families as fraud risks despite not processing special category data. The scandal pushed thousands of people into poverty after they were wrongfully investigated and forced to pay back debts they did not owe; the anxiety of the situation caused relationships to break down and even led people to take their own lives.Closer to home, the A-level grading scandal during the COVID pandemic produced unequal outcomes between privately educated and state-school students and provoked public outrage despite the grading system not relying on the processing of special category data.Non-special category data can also act as a proxy for special category data or protected characteristics. For instance, the Durham Constabulary's now-defunct Harm Assessment Risk Tool (HART) assessed the recidivism risk of offenders by processing 34 categories of data, including two types of residential postcode. The use of postcode data in predictive software risked embedding existing biases of over-policing in areas of socio-economic deprivation. Stripping away the few safeguards we currently have makes the risk of anotherHorizon-style catastrophe even greater.Importantly, a decision is not considered to be automated where there is meaningful human involvement. In practice, this might look like a HR department reviewing the decisions of an AI hiring tool before deciding who to interview or a bank using an automated credit searching tool as one factor when deciding whether to grant a loan to an applicant. These decisions do not attract the protections which apply to solely ADM.The public sector currently circumvents some of the prohibitions on ADM by pointing to human input in the decision-making process. However, the mere existence of a human-in-the-loop does not necessarily equate to 'meaningful' involvement.For instance, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that after its ESA Online Medical Matching Tool offers a matching profile an "agent performs a case review" to ultimately decide whether a claim should be awarded.However, the department's risk assessment also acknowledges that the tool could reduce the meaningfulness of a human agent's decision if they simply accept the algorithmic suggestion. This 'automation bias' means that many automated decisions which have superficial human involvement that amounts to no more than the rubber-stamping of a machine's logic are likely to proliferate in the public sector without attracting any of the protections against solely ADM.The question of what is meaningful human involvement is necessarily context dependent. Amsterdam's Court of Appeal found that Uber's decision to "robo-fire" drivers did not involve meaningful human input, as the drivers were not allowed to appeal and the Uber employees who took the decision did not necessarily have the level of knowledge to meaningfully shape the outcome beyond the machine's suggestion.Evidently, one man's definition of meaningful is different from another's. The DUAB gives the secretary of state for Science, Innovation and Technology expansive powers to redefine what this might look like in practice. This puts us all at risk of being subjected to automated decisions which are superficially approved by humans without the time, training, qualifications or understanding to be able to meaningfully provide input.The jubilant embrace of AI by the UK government may be a sign of the times, but the unchecked proliferation of automated decision-making through the public sector and weakening of related protections is a danger to us all.Read more about AI and algorithms in the public sectorDSIT permanent secretary says more AI transparency needed: The government must improve transparency around the use of artificial intelligence systems throughout the public sector if it is going to gain and retain trust in how the technology is being deployed.UK eVisa system problems persist despite repeated warnings: Travellers are already having issues boarding UK-bound flights, while refugees have been left with no way to prove their immigration status in the UK, just two weeks after the Home Office transitioned to electronic visas.Swedish authorities urged to discontinue AI welfare system: Amnesty International is calling on Sweden's social insurance agency to immediately discontinue its machine learning-based welfare system, following an investigation by Lighthouse Reports and Svenska Dagbladet that found it to be discriminatory.In The Current Issue:An action plan for net zero compatible with budget constraintsWhat is Dunelm doing for women in tech?Download Current IssueSLM series - Syndicode:How to use the right (model) tool for the job CW Developer NetworkSLM series - IBM: Open source base models empower data-infused specialised models CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

ZDNET's key takeaways TCL's 98-inch Class S5 Series TV is one of the most accessibly-priced TVs of its size, and it's currently on sale for $1,000 off. Watching movies and TV shows on such a big display is as close to a theatre-like experience as one can get at home. With such a large TV, setting it up can be a struggle, especially if you don't have a big enough console or wall space. more buying choices TCL makes some impressive TVs using advanced display technologies, specifications, and optimizations for the best picture quality possible. Yet sometimes, they put all that aside and say, "Hey, let's just make a really big TV for the sake of making a really big TV." And that's what this 98-inch set is all about.Also:I still recommend this TCL TV model from last yearThis TV, a member of TCL's mid-range S5 series, is currently on sale for $1,000 off its normal price of $3,000 at Amazon. TCL was kind enough to let me know about this deal in an email a few weeks ago, and I was wildly intrigued, to say the least. "A 98-inch TV for less than $2,500?" I thought to myself. That seemed impossible.I've been living with the 98-inch TCL S5 Series, and here's how the experience has been. details View at Amazon Setting up a 98-inch TVThe biggest challenge this TV poses is fitting it in your home. This thing is gigantic; it's 85.7 inches wide, 49.1 inches tall, and the feet are 68.5 inches apart. If you have a wall big enough to mount it on, then you're all set. But if you don't, you might be scrambling to find an entertainment center big enough to accommodate this behemoth. TCL's 98-inch S55 series TV next to my 65-inch LG TV. Yeah, this thing's a monster. Max Buondonno/ZDNETThe latter was me, by the way -- I was the one scrambling. My brothers helped me unbox the TV (which felt impossible since our drop ceilings stopped us from lifting the lid straight up in the air), and after we ripped through all the Styrofoam and plastic wrap, we needed to figure out a place to set it up in our relatively small living room.Also:What to expect at Amazon's Alexa event today: Alexa 2.0, new Echos, and Fire TV upgradesMy first thought was to leave it on the ground, but who wants to look down to watch TV? Then we considered ditching our current entertainment center and moving our 65-inch LG TV somewhere else to caddy corner it (again, on the ground), but that meant we'd have to dismember our entire living room.So, we came up with a compromise: we set up two folding catering tables, pushed our couch and loveseat against the wall, and plopped the 98-inch mammoth right in front of our fireplace. Is it perfect? Not really, but it works for the sake of this review.The most immersive experience available (unless you find one bigger)None of us were quite prepared for just how big this TV is. Sure, I had a sense of how big it was before we plugged it in, but once that 98-inch screen lit up, we were all taken aback. Many people dream of having a movie theater in their home to enjoy their favorite cinema flicks and games, and buying a TV like TCL's 98S550G will get you as close to that reality as possible.Maybe it's because we're sitting so close to it, maybe it's the switch from watching on a 65-inch TV for so long, but whatever the reason, the feeling of immersion you get from watching this 98-inch TV never seems to fade away. Everything you tune into will feel more lifelike than you can imagine -- that goes for movies like "Oppenheimer" and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" to cable TV shows like "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."Also: Having trouble hearing whispery TV dialogue? I found 3 ways to fix thatMy only wish is that I had gotten to see this year's Super Bowl on it. That said, I can already tell this TV will be the perfect fit for anyone who uses multiview through NFL Sunday Ticket.I mean it when I say that your jaw can drop at any moment while watching this TV. If you have a favorite movie or TV show, it simply makes it better since it's just so big. It's easy to see no matter where you are in the room, and it ensures there isn't a bad seat in the house.Ordinary specs, but solid picture quality nonetheless My 4K HDROppenheimerDVD looked amazing on this thing. Max Buondonno/ZDNETBeyond its magnificent 98-inch size, the rest of the 98S550G is pretty basic, at least when it comes to high-end TVs. It uses a QLED panel, which helps deliver brighter colors and better contrast. I can confidently say it's one of the best LED TVs I've ever seen. However, you won't get the same luxuries as something like an OLED or Mini LED TV with local dimming, richer contrast, and increased brightness. On the bright side, you won't get any light haloing around your content since it uses one huge backlight.The TV has a 4K resolution and supports refresh rates up to 120Hz, which is a nice touch for any gamers who want to enjoy silky-smooth gameplay on the panel. I will say, though, 4K on a 98-inch panel doesn't feel the same as it does on a 65-inch panel; pixel density isn't nearly as high since they're scattered across a much larger canvas, and if you get close to the TV, you can definitely see individual pixels. It's not an issue by any means, but I found it interesting nonetheless.Also: Gemini is taking over Google TV - but in ways you'll actually likeThe picture quality is decent overall. "Oppenheimer" looked great playing off the 4K HDR DVD I purchased, while 1080p upscaled cable shows weren't too shabby, either. You have plenty of options to control how everything looks in the settings menu, and once you set it up, I'd highly advise turning off motion smoothing. On a 98-inch television, the added frames do not do most content justice. Max Buondonno/ZDNETWith the 98-inch S5, TCL made sure to include a lot of specs and features customers might be interested in, including HDR Ultra (consisting of Dolby Vision IQ, Open HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG), a dedicated Game Accelerator 240 for 240 VRR support, Dolby Atmos, AirPlay, Chromecast, voice assistant integration, and even dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. There are four HDMI ports to take advantage of, along with optical audio and Ethernet ports.Also: This 98-inch Samsung 4K TV is the ultimate home theater experience - and it's $5,000 offIts sound quality is also solid. At higher volumes, mids and highs can start to screech, but the built-in subwoofer helps anchor everything with a surprising amount of bass, which can be tuned in the settings if you want more or less boom during your movies. I'd still opt for a dedicated sound system if you want a true movie theater setup, but my family and I were happy with what the TV kicked out.ZDNET's buying adviceAt $1,997, it's hard to ignore TCL's 98-inch Class S5 Series TV for long. If you have a spot in your home where you can fit a TV of this size and magnitude -- and you don't mind dropping a cool $2,000 -- I can see this TV making a lot of sense for an immersive entertainment setup. Granted, you won't get the best picture quality out there, but it's important to remember that anything better than what TCL gives you will run you$5,000 to $10,000-- maybe more.In the end, I had a lot of fun reviewing this huge 98-inch TV, but I'm ready to send it back. For our home, it's a bit too intrusive and gets in the way more often than not. (Let's remember that it's blocking my entire fireplace.) But if you have the space for it, part of me wants to tell you to rush out and grab one while the deal's happening. I think you'll dig it, and your entire household will be addicted to looking at it. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we're all after when buying a new TV?How we test TVsWhile testing and researching the TV featured in this review, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:Price:Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model we review has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs.Screen size:The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. While this specific screen size is exceptional, the QN90D is available in a wide variety of smaller sizes to suit different rooms.Picture and audio quality:A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound.For a more detailed look, check outour extensive TV testing methodology.This article was originally published on March 5, 2024, and was updated on February 26, 2025.Featured reviews

While GFCI outlets offer reliable protection compared with standard outlets, they aren't meant for every type of electrical device. Some items should never be plugged into a GFCI, as they could malfunction or trip the circuit unnecessarily, leading to power disruptions or unsafe situations. Below is a list of devices not suited for GFCIs.1. Devices with a "high inrush" currentAppliances likerefrigerators,freezers,air conditioner units, andpower toolsrequire a serious initial burst of electricity when powered on. Yes, even though refrigerators are almost always located in kitchens, the counterintuitive truth is that they can cause the GFCI to trip because of the large initial surge of current, even if there is no actual fault. This is known as "nuisance tripping," and it is aptly named. Don't risk spoiling a fridge full of foods by plugging it into a GFCI.2. Outdoor equipmentSimilarly, outdoor equipment such aselectric lawnmowersorpressure washersshould ideally be plugged into a dedicated outdoor outlet. While GFCIs are designed for outdoor use to reduce shock hazards, high-powered equipment can cause the GFCI to trip if it draws too much current at one time.Also:The best home EV chargers of 2025: Expert tested3. High-powered appliancesAppliances that use significant power, such asspace heaters,microwave ovens, orvacuum cleaners, can cause a GFCI outlet to trip, especially if they are used on a circuit with high loads. These appliances could create a situation where the GFCI trips frequently (more nuisance tripping).4. Surge protectors or power stripsSomepower stripsandsurge protectors, particularly those with multiple plugs for high-powered devices, could cause the GFCI outlet to trip due to the combined electrical load. A sudden power surge or imbalance could cause the GFCI to trip unexpectedly, defeating the GFCI outlet's purpose and causing repeated circuit tripping.5. Sump pumpsWhile theNational Electrical Code (NEC)specifically mandates that new construction includes GFCIs in basements, there is another ironic exclusion among the list:sump pumps. Sump pumps are designed to prevent flooding, but if the GFCI trips and cuts off its power, your basement might end up under several inches of water.Also:How I used this portable power station to bring electricity to a caveman6. Medical equipmentMedical equipment likeCPAP machinesandoxygen concentratorsrequire continuous, uninterrupted power, so we advise plugging these vital devices into conventional outlets, not GFCIs. Some medical devices have sensitive circuitry, and the GFCI may trip unnecessarily, causing a loss of power to life-sustaining equipment.

Remember, the goal isnt to pit humans against machines, or to claim humans are the only ones with empathy, but to find a way for both to work in harmony.

Inova headquarters in Virginia InovaInova Health System, Virginias top healthcare system, operates five hospitals with two more under construction to meet the growing needs of a dense, urban population. Inova not only offers acute care but also addresses the needs of underserved populations. It is the third busiest emergency department in the country, and the companys mission is to serve both routine and critical care needs in its region. This commitment to comprehensive care underscores Inovas reputation as a research-focused, physician-led organization.As Chief Information and Digital Officer, Matthew Kull oversees traditional IT functions from data centers to cloud infrastructure, while also spearheading initiatives in artificial intelligence, analytics and process improvement. I have responsibility for all of the typical CIO activities, as well as our digital aspects, like how we think about AI, analytics and improving processes across the enterprise, he highlighted. His vision is to create a data-fluent organization where every decision, whether clinical or operational, is backed by robust evidence rather than intuition alone. By merging operational efficiency with digital strategy, Inova is transforming how healthcare services are delivered and managed.Collaborating with Clinicians for Cutting-Edge ResearchInova's Matthew KullInovaKull is particularly proud of Inovas collaborative approach to research, especially in womens health. We have one of the largest ongoing research facilities dedicated to OBGYN-related cancers, a collaboration between several hospitals and even the military, he said. This initiative leverages vast data sets to identify early cancer markers and tailor treatments to individual patients. Our goal is to eventually look at a patient and say, This is the right treatment for your specific biology, which moves us toward personalized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Kull underscored with excitement. Such collaborations not only push the envelope in medical research but also set the stage for more accurate and effective patient care.Prioritizing Data Privacy and SecurityWith healthcare data among the most sensitive and personal information, Kull places a premium on robust privacy and security measures. Patients health information is very personal and sacred, so weve implemented rigorous standards to protect it, he emphasized. Inova has established strict protocols that control data access, usage and proper disposal after research projects conclude. We have gates in place, he explained. When a study is done, we ensure the data is properly sunset so that it doesnt become orphaned on a server. These measures not only comply with industry standards but also reaffirm Inovas commitment to ethical data use and patient confidentiality.Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in HealthcareArtificial intelligence is a key focus area for Inova, particularly in reducing the administrative burden that consumes a significant portion of healthcare resources. Theres about 60% of effort in healthcare that involves language tasks, which is a prime opportunity for large language models and generative AI, Kull noted. By automating routine tasks such as processing paperwork and handling communications, AI enables caregivers to focus more on patient interaction and clinical decision support. The more we automate the non-clinical tasks, the more time our caregivers can focus on what truly mattersconnecting with patients and delivering care, he added. This strategic application of AI is not about replacing the human element in healthcare but rather enhancing it.Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Tech LandscapeKeeping pace with rapid technological advancements is a continuous challenge. Kull and his team actively participate in industry events like ViVE in Nashville, as well as engaging with a constant stream of insights from social media, podcasts and industry consultants. My evenings are often filled with catching up on the latest technological breakthroughs, he said. Its like watching a real-time stream of innovation. This commitment to continuous learning ensures that Inova remains at the forefront of emerging technologies, ready to adopt innovations that can further improve patient care and operational efficiency.Looking to the Future: Innovations on the HorizonWhen asked about the future of healthcare technology, Kull expressed excitement about several emerging trends. One major focus is increasing the data fluency of every team member. Imagine if every team member could ask natural language questions of our data and get actionable insights in real time, he explained. Thats where were headed. Additionally, breakthroughs in computing power and wireless technology are poised to redefine infrastructure in healthcare. When you see an AI supercomputer that fits in your hand, you start to think about how we can revolutionize everything from cloud computing to the very design of our hospitals, Kull remarked. These innovations promise to make healthcare delivery more efficient and patient-centric.In his own words, Our aim is to create a data-fluent organization that is ready for the future of healthcare.Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.

What just happened? It appears that Nvidia has started addressing at least one of the many problems affecting the RTX 5000-series. A fix for the black screen issues that have impacted certain Blackwell GPUs, as well as previous card generations, is already available for some users, with a driver update arriving later this week. Last week brought news that Nvidia was investigating the black screen and system instability problems that were affecting RTX 5000-series, 40-series, and 30-series cards. Nvidia had acknowledged the problems the previous week following the 572.16 driver release.While three generations of cards have been affected, the RTX 5000 series seemed to be experiencing most issues, which range from minor stuttering and crashes to blue screens of death.There were reports of some user getting around the problems by capping their display's refresh rate at 60Hz, which isn't what you want when gaming on high-end cards.Now, Nvidia has identified the problem, though it hasn't yet revealed what it is. A Reddit user (via VideoCardz) says their MSI Gaming Trio RTX 5080 just received a VBIOS update that addressed the black screen issues completely. Apparently, it even squeezed some extra performance out of the card.An Nvidia representative replied to the Reddit post, confirming that this was an official fix. They added that any user whose card had not received a VBIOS update could download the driver releasing later this week, which applies the same fix. // Related StoriesWhile this hopefully means the issues are being corrected across all affected cards, it's been another PR black eye for Nvidia.The RTX 5000 series has been called one of the worst graphics card launches in memory. Not only have there been disappointing generational upgrades, almost non-existent stock levels, and high prices, but we've also seen the melting cable connector problem return and cards with missing ROP units.It was reported yesterday that the RTX 5080 has joined the list of cards with missing ROPs, making one wonder why Nvidia never mentioned this fact when acknowledging some RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti cards were affected. Nvidia, of course, makes most of its money from its data center products, so maybe the company just doesn't care.

What just happened? Samsung has expanded its consumer SSD lineup with the launch of the 9100 Pro series solid-state drives featuring PCIe 5.0 speeds. Built on an improved version of Samsung's TLC V8 V-NAND flash, this is the South Korean company's first "true" Gen 5 SSD, delivering blazingly fast speeds and more storage capacity than its predecessors. Samsung claims that the 9100 Pro series delivers up to 14,800 MB/s of sequential read speeds, potentially making it the fastest consumer SSD on the market. It also achieves 13,400 MB/s of sequential write speeds, making it twice as fast as the company's existing products. The new drives reach random read/write speeds of up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, enabling users to access large games, files, and apps faster than ever before.Samsung is launching the 9100 Pro in four configurations: a 1TB variant with 1GB of LPDDR4X cache, a 2TB model with 2GB of LPDDR4X cache, a 4TB model with 4GB of LPDDR4X cache, and an 8TB model with 8GB of LPDDR4X cache.The 9100 Pro drives use an advanced 5nm controller, making them more power-efficient than Samsung's older SSDs. The company claims they deliver up to 49 percent more power efficiency compared to their predecessors. Samsung is also offering a version with an added heatsink for an additional layer of thermal control, helping it run cooler and giving it a longer lifespan.The 9100 Pro drives are aimed at professional photo and video editors, gamers, and AI content generators. Samsung claims that the new drives will deliver "a new benchmark" for storage performance on laptops, desktops, and video game consoles, including the PS5. For peak performance, reliability, and data security, the drives will ship with the Samsung Magician Software.The 9100 Pro SSDs will be available starting this March, but they won't be cheap. The base 1TB model is priced at $199.99, while the 2TB and 4TB models will cost $299.99 and $549.99, respectively. The 9100 Pro with Heatsink will start at $219.99 for the 1TB model, while the 2TB and 4TB variants will cost $319.99 and $569.99, respectively. Samsung didn't announce the price of the 8TB models, which will be available in the second half of 2025. // Related Stories