Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.AI and energy are two of the most critical forces shaping the future of our planetand their relationship is impossible to ignore today.From the significant power consumption of data centers to the growing energy requirements of AI-driven applications, the rapid adoption of AI is driving a surge in global energy demand that is outpacing the growth of renewable energy sources.This presents a crucial challenge: How to balance the environmental impact of this technology with the transformative potential it holds? The solution is more AI.Transform the environmental impact of energy productionAs I explored in my recent article, technologies like cloud, edge computing, and AI are reducing the carbon intensity of oil and gas production today while helping to advance the new energy systems of tomorrow.For example, consider the parallels between data intelligence for energy operations and autonomous vehicles. Much like how self-driving cars interpret real-time data about other drivers and traffic conditions to make decisions, AI-enabled devices in the oil field interpret data from wells and facilities in the network to take proactive and autonomous actions. This ensures that operations stay in the sweet spot, unlocking significant productivity gains while reducing costs and carbon emissions.This is only the beginning. Soon, AI will enable optimization throughout the entire production life cyclefrom subsurface exploration to field development and production operations. This will allow us to optimize assets in real time, marking a significant step forward in energy production while maximizing performance and sustainability.But to realize this vision, we must unleash the full potential of AI across our industry. It must evolve from a digital tool that supports individual tasks into a fundamental capability set woven into the very fabric of our planning, decision making, and operations.AI will be the X factor for our industry. It has the potential to fundamentally transform the environmental impact of energy production. But for this to happen, we cant rely on traditional AI and machine learning workflows. We need tailor-made solutions to meet the unique demands of the energy industry. Enter engineered AI.Engineered AI: AI for the energy industryThe AI lexicon is constantly expanding and now includes everything from narrow AI to general AI to superintelligent AI, alongside the now ubiquitous generative AI. However, the unique challenges of the energy industry demand a specialized approach.To address them effectively, we at SLB propose engineered AIa specialized approach to AI development focused on solving the energy sectors most pressing challenges.Now, you may ask, Do we really need more AI? Well, consider this: Before a single barrel of oil or cubic foot of gas is produced, vast amounts of data are generated, analyzed, and acted upon. In fact, a single well can produce more than 10 terabytes of data per day, roughly equivalent to half of the text content in the U.S. Library of Congress.Engineered AI is purpose-built to address these complexities. It combines machine learning and generative AI with energy-specific data, physics-based modeling, and the deep domain expertise of the scientists and engineers across our industry. With open, secure, and adaptable architectures, we can unlock decades of historical data to drive innovation across the industry.As engineered AI evolves, it will enable the industry to rapidly accelerate and derisk processes such as reservoir design and management, construction of wells and facilities, and asset maintenance and performance. Ultimately, this will result in greater efficiency, reduced costs, and lower carbon emissions across the entire energy value chain.AI for the energy transitionWhile engineered AI will be critical for improving performance and reducing emissions in the oil and gas industry today, it will also play a key role in scaling the low carbon solutions of tomorrow.Leveraging decades of subsurface data, we are already developing engineered AI solutions to identify optimal locations for carbon capture and storage and geothermal energy developments. This represents a significant step forward in reducing industrial emissions and accelerating the transition to clean, renewable energy systems. And as engineered AI capabilities mature, its impact will continue to accelerate.So, while the rapid growth of AI undoubtedly introduces new complexities to the global energy mix, I believe AI will unlock new opportunities, becoming one of our most valuable tools in delivering secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.When we get it right, AI isnt just technology. Its the key to a world with more energy and less emissions.Rakesh Jaggi is president of Digital & Integration at SLB.

Hes not a movie buff, so New York musician Larry Saltzman doesnt always watchthe Oscars.This year, however, hes got a rooting interest.Saltzman taught actor Timothe Chalamet how to play guitar for the role of Bob Dylan inA Complete Unknown.In turn, Chalamet earned a best actor nomination and the film is also up for best picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday.A guitarist whos performed with Simon & Garfunkel, Bette Midler and David Johansen, as well as in the pit at Broadway productions Hairspray and Aint Too Proud to Beg, Saltzman has developed a specialty in teaching actors how to play music for their roles. Besides Chalamet, recent pupils have includedAdam DriverandSadie Sink of Stranger Things.On a fellow musicians recommendation, Saltzman first got a call from a movie studio about a decade ago. He admits to being cranky as discussions dragged on. I almost did everything to talk them out of hiring me, he said.Not until the fifth phone call did the studio identify the client: Meryl Streep.She needed to learn the electric guitar for her starring role in the 2015 filmRicki and the Flash,where she portrayed an aging rocker trying to keep her career and life together in the wake of a series of disappointments.Working with Streep is a little like a political consultants first client being elected president. If she likes you and word gets around, other students will follow. Teaching actors now represents about 40% of his business, the 69-year-old said.My time spent with her was excellent, he said of Streep. Shes smart. She knows how to learn things. There was a steady progress over three or four months. She did very well.Faking it just wont do for serious actors and film directors. Its like lip-syncing the audience is going to tell the difference, and the characters will be less believable. That was especially true with Chalamet, who needed to sing and play at the same time for a character whose artistry is the centerpiece of the film.When the actors come to you, theyre kind of vulnerable, Saltzman said. They want to do a great job.Saltzman had more than 50 sessions with Chalamet, starting in person and retreating to Zoom during the pandemic. It wasnt easy. Chalamet had to learn some 25 songs in the script.Sometime in 2018 I had my first lesson with this great guitar teacher named Larry Saltzman who at some point became less of a teacher and more a co-sanity artist through COVID, Chalamet recalledduring a recent interviewwith The Associated Press. I think we were keeping each other sane. We would Zoom three, four times a week and doing songs that never made it into the movie.It helped that Saltzman is a Dylan buff. Focusing on imparting the guitar playing of pre-electric Bob, he taught his charge so well that Chalamet was a musical guest as well as hoston Saturday Night Live,performing obscure Dylan cuts last month. Saltzman says, in the course of their sessions, Chalamet went the extra mile and unearthed very early, obscure Dylan songs that werent even in the script.Saltzman generally likes teaching actors more than common folk, in part because theres a specific goal: They need to learn certain songs to inhabit a particular character. When its open-ended someone just wants to learn the guitar it can be more of a challenge, he said. Saltzman also believes that its an advantage to not be a regular teacher, someone who may approach clients with a more rigid style.Actor Johnny Cannizzaro said he appreciated Saltzmans calming bedside manner and felt welcome in an apartment filled with guitars. Cannizzaro has the role of E Street Band member Little Steven Van Zandt in theupcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere.There was never really a moment where he expressed any sort of frustration or impatience with me during a session, said Cannizzaro, who has background playing keyboards but not guitar. If anything, he would express some excitement when you grasped something he was teaching. That put me at ease.Saltzman also studied films of Van Zandt so he wasnt just teaching Cannizzaro guitar he was showing specifics of how Van Zandt plays, the actor said.Beyond teaching, Saltzmans time is divided between studio work, playing in New York clubs accompanying different artists and Broadway hes just aboutto begin Smash.Its an eye-opening experience for him to later see his students on screen. That was particularly the case when he saw A Complete Unknown and marveled at Chalamets ability as an actor.All the more reason to watch the Oscars, and to take some pride in his own work.In my own humble way, Im a small gear in that machinery, he said. What is rewarding is knowing that in some small way Im contributing to making a better film.David Bauder, AP entertainment writer

WESN just took its iconic Microblade knife and made a Flamin Hot version of it. This gorgeous red variant was launched this month in tribute to Valentines and the general season of love, although Im not entirely sure I want to know what knives and Valentines day have in common. However, the special-edition knife, titled Hunk Of Burnin Love is certainly a gorgeous little number thats a wonderful combination of visually simple yet undeniably bold. With only 200 units available, its an EDC essential and a masterclass in minimalism with maximum appeal.At just 1.5 inches, the blade may be small, but its crafted for efficiency. Made from premium-grade steel, it delivers a razor-sharp edge that can handle anything from opening packages to cutting paracord with ease. The titanium scale construction reinforces its toughness, ensuring it can take a beating without losing its edgeliterally. And when its not in use, the frame lock mechanism keeps it securely folded, adding an extra layer of safety to its pocket-friendly profile.Designer: WESNDespite its size, this microblade is designed for real-world use. The smooth-opening action feels satisfying, a testament to WESNs precision engineering. Theres a weightlessness to itjust one ouncethat makes it disappear into your pocket until you need it. And then, with a flick, its ready for action, proving that the best EDC tools are the ones you barely notice until they become indispensable.The bold red handle isnt just about looks, though it certainly turns heads. It shifts in different lighting, giving the knife an almost dynamic personality, unlike the standard matte finishes of most pocket knives. This visual appeal, combined with its rugged build, makes it a conversation starter just as much as a functional tool. Its a limited-edition piece that feels like it was designed for collectors and hardcore EDC enthusiasts alike.WESN has built a reputation for high-quality, thoughtfully designed knives, and this release reinforces that commitment. Its not about overcomplicating thingsits about refining the essentials, making a knife that fits seamlessly into daily life while carrying a bit of attitude. Whether its clipped to a keychain or sitting in a pocket, *The Hunk of Burnin Love Microblade* is one of those tools that proves its worth the moment you put it to use.With only 200 available, this microblade wont be around forever. At $89, its a solid investment in a blade that balances aesthetics with performance. WESN understands that everyday carry isnt just about utilityits about having gear that feels good in your hand, works flawlessly, and maybe even sparks a little joy every time you use it. This is one of those pieces that does exactly that.The post WESNs Popular Microblade Gets A Red Hot Makeover For EDC Lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.

LA is embarking on a lengthy recovery journey following recent wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes, and an architecture firm is stepping in to assist by offering one of its residential designs for free. Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture, based in New York, provides all the architectural plans, sections, and 3D models for a fire-resistant home, potentially saving homeowners considerable design fees.We were archiving unbuilt projects around the time the Los Angeles fires occurred, and we stumbled upon this concept we had for a coastal house, said Enrico Bonetti, co-founder of the firm. We admired the floor plans and then realized that the design, typology, and materials would be highly suitable for a fire-prone area.Designer: Bonetti/Kozerski ArchitectureBonetti/Kozerski Architecture has built a reputation for its upscale projects, such as the Pace Gallery headquarters in New York, the interior design of actress Angelina Jolies fashion house, Atelier Jolie, along with several luxurious yachts and private residences. Instead of allowing this homes unbuilt design to remain forgotten in its archives, the firm has made it available for anyone to use, free of charge. This is a noble and commendable initiative on the part of Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture, one that will be a boon for those who lost their houses to the fires. We felt that we could make a small contribution to the people who lost their homes by donating this project to them, Bonetti says.The complimentary house plan boasts a sleek, modern design spanning 3,700 square feet. The rectangular floor plan offers an open and airy ground floor, while the second floor is home to three cozy bedrooms. Expansive windows run along the stretch of the house, reaching from the floor to near the roofline, and wide picture windows elegantly highlight one end. This design incorporates several fire-resistant features, such as durable metal cladding, sturdy masonry walls, and an innovative eave-less roof, expertly minimizing one of the most common vulnerabilities to falling embers and wildfire spread.Of course, these are free plans for a home, and not a house itself, and the cost to build one will be quite a bit, especially in the fire-damaged area. But this effort is still impressive since architectural plans make up about 10% of a houses cost or even more. This initiative saves tens of thousands of dollars. Homeowners from the fire-damaged region can download the free house plans from the firms website, after which they need to acquire a general contractor to start the process. The plan is ready for construction, yet it can be customized to meet the unique needs of various sites or the specific spatial requirements of end users. Whether someone desires less than 3,700 square feet or substantially more, the design is adaptable to accommodate those preferences. This plan could be adaptable but its a very space-efficient starting point, said Bonetti.The post Free Architectural Plans Offer Fire-Resistant Housing Solutions for LA Residents first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apples latest $599 iPhone isnt the best bang for your buck.

More than 50 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, most within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Initial analysis suggests neither Ebola nor Marburg is the cause.

Ugreen's GaN-based power station packs a lot of juice inside a compact body with multiple USB ports and an Apple-certified adjustable MagSafe puck.Ugreen 100W GaN Mini MagSafe Power Station review: The Ugreen 100W GaN Mini MagSafe Power StationIn a world filled with niche chargers, it's hard for them to stand out. Everyone's needs are different, which is why such a varied number of chargers are able to success on the market.Recently, we've been testing Ugreen's GaN MagSafe tower that is great for our studio setup, or shared charging stations in a home. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Analyst Jeff Pu has shared once again that he expects both iPhone 17 Pro models to have 12GB of RAM, but more reliable sources say otherwise.iPhone 17 Slim to get 8GB of RAM, while iPhone 17 Pro to get 12GB of RAMRumors are ramping up for Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is expected in September 2025. This time, it isn't about the controversial camera bar update, but instead about the included RAM.According to an analyst note seen by 9to5Mac, Jeff Pu believes that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM. Such an upgrade would contribute to more powerful AI features exclusive to those devices. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Los Angeles Department of Building Safety (LADBS) is now offering waivers to homeowners affected by the recent Los Angeles Fires in order to better facilitate the process for obtaining building plans and blueprints. The waiver, along with a required Affidavit for Duplication of Plans,streamlines the process for fire-impacted homeowners seeking to rebuild.The release of the waivers has been made possible by Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of Executive Order N-20-25, which suspends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other existing code requirements. His action came after the AIA California's letter requesting changes under Health & Safety Code 19851. The LADBS guide to the process is available here.More of our coverage of the AIA Los Angeles' efforts to coordinate members in response to the fires can be found below:AIA Los Angeles pens letter to Mayor Bass reaffirming support in post-fire recoveryAIA|LA Wildfire Disaster Response Task Force leaders on rebuildin...