Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has joined President Donald Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) service. Gebbia, a close friend of Elon Musk and fellow billionaire, announced that hes been tasked with improving the slow and paper-based retirement process, though the specifics of his involvement are unclear.Excited to share Im bringing my designer brain and start-up spirit into the government, Gebbia announced on X. I can think of few more important ones than volunteering to improve the user experience within our government.Musk has complained that the current system for processing retirement applications is too slow and restrictive due to using manually checked paper records. A converted mine in Pennsylvania is currently used to store and process 400 million printed government documents, taking up 26,000 filing cabinets. The US Office of Personnel Management announced on Thursday that it had processed an entire retirement application digitally for the first time, completing the task without printing a single piece of paper within two days, instead of the several weeks it usually takes.The retirement process for every federal employee involves a paper application, filing cabinets, and a mainframe in a mine. Until today. See the story behind the first digital retirement: pic.twitter.com/0WRz5HLiwp U.S. Office of Personnel Management (@USOPM) February 27, 2025Its unclear if Gebbias role at DOGE is a paid position. Gebbia remains a significant shareholder and board member of Airbnb despite leaving his operating role at the company in 2022 the same year he joined Teslas board of directors. In response to Gebbias DOGE appointment, some Airbnb users and hosts have posted on the rental platforms community forums with threats to boycott the service and called for Airbnb to distance itself from the co-founder.Gebbia attracted similar ire from the Airbnb community last month when he revealed that he had voted for Trump in the November elections. Gebbia had been a Democratic donor until 2023 and scrutinized Trump for his heartless, cruel, and immoral family separation policy during his previous presidency. Having professed to having a woke-up call, his DOGE appointment further cements his pledge to support the MAGA ethos.

The developer of Palworld has given its staff the day off to play Monster Hunter Wilds.As reported by Automaton, yesterday Japanese studio Pocketpair said on social media that it had received a number of mysterious notices from employees who claimed they will probably be feeling unwell tomorrow and unable to work.And so, today, February 28, Monster Hunter Wilds official release date, is a sort of holiday for Pocketpair staff. Its a clear nice gesture, but still Pocketpair felt the need to clarify that updates on its games would not be affected.Monster Hunter Wilds has got off to an incredible start, with 1 million concurrent players on Steam alone. Thats enough to break into Steams top 10 most-played games of all-time list, ahead of best-sellers Baldurs Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring.However, Monster Hunter Wilds has a mixed user review rating on Steam, which has led to Capcom publishing official guidance for PC performance issues. Meanwhile, Capcom has announced early details for Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which is set to add an endgame social hub for players.The impact of Monster Hunter Wilds launch is truly global, but it seems particularly pronounced in its home market of Japan. Automaton reported on one Japanese indie developer who took to social media to jokingly say it hadnt sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds game out.And Pocketpair has form when it comes to giving its staff days off to play games it did the same thing back in 2022 when FromSoftwares Elden Ring came out.To help get your Monster Hunter Wilds adventure started, take a look at what Monster Hunter Wilds doesnt tell you, and a guide to all 14 weapon types in the game. Weve also got a detailed Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough in progress, a Monster Hunter Wilds multiplayer guide to explain how to play with friends, and if youve played one of the open betas, heres how to transfer your Monster Hunter Wilds Beta character over.IGNs Monster Hunter Wilds review returned an 8/10. We said: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the rougher corners of the series in smart ways, making for some extremely fun fights but also lacking any real challenge.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Capcom has announced early details of Monster Hunter Wilds first major patch, which is due early April.Amid the huge launch of Monster Hunter Wilds itself, Capcom detailed Title Update 1 in a post on Steam. The company said the patchs early April release date, set to arrive a little over a month after the game itself, "will give hunters enough time to prepare for the new content, and challenges, that await them.To that end, Title Update 1 adds a new level of challenge: Prepare your gear, and resolve, hunters! Capcom said. TU1 will bring with it a monster of formidable strength at a level above Tempered! Meanwhile, a new challenging monster will be added with Title Update 1.Interestingly, Title Update 1 also adds an endgame place to gather. A new place to meet, communicate, have meals together and more with other hunters will be added to Monster Hunter Wilds in TU1! Capcom said.This area will be available to hunters who have completed the main story, so get hunting and be ready!Early reaction to the news that Title Update 1 will add a place for endgame players to gather has been mixed, with some welcoming the addition, others wondering why its not in the game at launch. It sounds very much like a Gathering Hub from previous Monster Hunter games, but as some have pointed out, its interesting that Capcom has chosen not to call it that here. While other players can turn up in your camp, Monster Hunter Wilds lacks a true social hub, so hopefully whatever this is will fill the void.Capcom released a few images showcasing this new place to gather:Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1 ScreenshotsMeanwhile, Capcom issued a Monster Hunter Wilds troubleshooting guide amid mixed Steam user reviews.To help get your Monster Hunter Wilds adventure started, take a look at what Monster Hunter Wilds doesnt tell you, and a guide to all 14 weapon types in the game. Weve also got a detailed Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough in progress, a Monster Hunter Wilds multiplayer guide to explain how to play with friends, and if youve played one of the open betas, heres how to transfer your Monster Hunter Wilds Beta character over.IGNs Monster Hunter Wilds review returned an 8/10. We said: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the rougher corners of the series in smart ways, making for some extremely fun fights but also lacking any real challenge.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Feb 28, 2025Ravie LakshmananAPI Security / AI SecurityMicrosoft on Thursday unmasked four of the individuals that it said were behind an Azure Abuse Enterprise scheme that involves leveraging unauthorized access to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services in order to produce offensive and harmful content.The campaign, called LLMjacking, has targeted various AI offerings, including Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service. The tech giant is tracking the cybercrime network as Storm-2139. The individuals named are -Arian Yadegarnia aka "Fiz" of Iran,Alan Krysiak aka "Drago" of United Kingdom,Ricky Yuen aka "cg-dot" of Hong Kong, China, andPht Phng Tn aka "Asakuri" of Vietnam"Members of Storm-2139 exploited exposed customer credentials scraped from public sources to unlawfully access accounts with certain generative AI services," Steven Masada, assistant general counsel for Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit (DCU), said."They then altered the capabilities of these services and resold access to other malicious actors, providing detailed instructions on how to generate harmful and illicit content, including non-consensual intimate images of celebrities and other sexually explicit content."The malicious activity is explicitly carried out with an intent to bypass the safety guardrails of generative AI systems, Redmond added.The amended complaint comes a little over a month after Microsoft said it's pursuing legal action against the threat actors for engaging in systematic API key theft from several customers, including several U.S. companies, and then monetizing that access to other actors.It also obtained a court order to seize a website ("aitism[.]net") that is believed to have been a crucial part of the group's criminal operation.Storm-2139 consists of three broad categories of people: Creators, who developed the illicit tools that enable the abuse of AI services; Providers, who modify and supply these tools to customers at various price points; and end users who utilize them to generate synthetic content that violate Microsoft's Acceptable Use PolicyandCode of Conduct.Microsoft said it also identified two more actors located in the United States, who are based in the states of Illinois and Floria. Their identities have been withheld to avoid interfering with potential criminal investigations.The other unnamed co-conspirators, providers, and end users are listed below -A John Doe (DOE 2) who likely resides in the United States A John Doe (DOE 3) who likely resides in Austria and uses the alias "Sekrit"A person who likely resides in the United States and uses the alias "Pepsi"A person who likely resides in the United States and uses the alias "Pebble"A person who likely resides in the United Kingdom and uses the alias "dazz"A person who likely resides in the United States and uses the alias "Jorge"A person who likely resides in Turkey and uses the alias "jawajawaable"A person who likely resides in Russia and uses the alias "1phlgm"A John Doe (DOE 8) who likely resides in ArgentinaA John Doe (DOE 9) who likely resides in ParaguayA John Doe (DOE 10) who likely resides in Denmark"Going after malicious actors requires persistence and ongoing vigilance," Masada said. "By unmasking these individuals and shining a light on their malicious activities, Microsoft aims to set a precedent in the fight against AI technology misuse."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Nathan Eddy, Freelance WriterFebruary 28, 20254 Min ReadAleksandr Davydov via Alamy StockAs organizations navigate the challenges of technology adoption across generational lines, organizations are increasingly focusing on strategies to bridge the gap between tech-savvy younger employees and older workers with varied levels of proficiency.Contrary to stereotypes, older employees often possess a wealth of tech experience from earlier computing eras, such as troubleshooting first-generation PCs or early networking systems.Graham Glass, founder and CEO of Cypher Learning, says assessing the technology history of all employees can provide valuable insights into their skills and comfort levels.By treating training needs as individual as a medical history, organizations can design programs that respect experience while addressing gaps, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches that may alienate staff, he says.He adds that equally as important as generational differences are cultural and ethnic differences.When youre driving more tech proficiency in the workplace, consider every users point of view, Glass says.Ryan Downing, vice president and CIO of enterprise business solutions at Principal Financial Group, points to cloud transformation as a prime example of generational collaboration, with engineers across age groups elevating their skills together.Related:What I find most impressive is how newer employees bring fresh perspectives and energy, while more experienced team members contribute wisdom and expertise, he says. This dynamic levels the playing field, strengthens team cohesion, and ensures every voice is heard.Cross-Generational AI AdoptionTo foster inclusive AI adoption, Downing says organizations should shift the conversation from merely adopting new tools to transforming ways of working.At Principal, we are beginning to pilot coaching programs that focus on setting clear outcomes that can help teams improve efficiency and quality, Downing explains.The programs guide teams to explore how AI tools can drive value creation in ways that differ from traditional approaches.This outcome-driven mindset encourages exploration and reduces apprehension around AI tools, he says.Tailored training is also playing in bridging the generational tech gap.Downing says at Principal, training is balanced with a mix of formal learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and meaningful assignments.This approach allows team members to apply new skills in real-world scenarios, Downing says.By offering varied learning methods, we can accommodate different working styles and readiness levels, ensuring all team members can effectively engage with new technologies.Related:Downing explains the primary challenge typically isnt a lack of tools or willingness to learn, but rather the tendency to treat AI tools as mere add-ons rather than enablers of transformation.Its so important not to underestimate the human element of implementing these new tools to help team members reimagine their workflows, Downing says. Emphasizing transformation over tools helps to ensure meaningful adoption across these generational lines.Glass explains that while younger workers may adapt quickly to AI tools, older employees often need reassurance about their role in the workplace and the utility of AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, their contributions.Personalized learning platforms powered by AI allow employees to learn at their own pace, ensuring proficiency without wasting time or risking embarrassment, he says.Peer-to-peer mentoring and collaboration further bridge the gap, allowing younger workers to share their digital fluency while benefiting from the problem-solving resilience of older colleagues.The less exposed to AI people are, the more qualms they have, Glass says. Our recent research shows younger men are less worried about AI than, say, older workers or women.Related:That comfort gap is a function of time spent experimenting with the technology, or lack thereof, so its a good idea for businesses to encourage it.Two more big issues that recur are privacy and fear of AI taking over peoples jobs, Glass adds.Managers can address the first by framing house rules governing AI use -- defining tasks it shouldnt be exposed to, for example. As for the second -- reassure employees, especially older ones, that AI is a tool meant to take rote chores off their plates and elevate their roles.The more you underline how essential your people are, the less theyre apt to fret about job security, Glass says.Measuring SuccessOrganizations implementing multigenerational technology training programs often measure success through a combination of immediate feedback and long-term metrics, Gartner analyst Autumn Stanish explains.Retention and attraction rates are key indicators, such as tracking whether employees are staying longer or if the company is drawing new talent due to its reputation for inclusivity, she says.Stanish points to Broadridges reverse mentoring program, where younger employees mentored older colleagues on work-related topics.After the program, both mentors and mentees completed surveys using a 10-point scale to evaluate outcomes like increased belonging, broadened perspectives, and willingness to recommend the experience.Stanish says short-term insights from surveys help guide improvements, while broader goals, such as enhanced employee satisfaction and retention, require time to fully materialize.Combining these methods allows organizations to fine-tune their programs and foster inclusivity effectively.The little surveys and moments where we gather feedback help us connect with employees directly, and over time, those qualitative insights drive the bigger quantitative outcomes, she says.About the AuthorNathan EddyFreelance WriterNathan Eddy is a freelance writer for InformationWeek. He has written for Popular Mechanics, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine, FierceMarkets, and CRN, among others. In 2012 he made his first documentary film, The Absent Column. He currently lives in Berlin.See more from Nathan EddyWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Jessica Hill, Principal Legal Counsel, Product and Privacy, New RelicFebruary 28, 20255 Min ReadYury Zap via Alamy StockOpen-source AI projects are exploding in popularity and are contributing to PwCs estimated $15.7 trillion impact AI will have on the global economy by 2030. However, some enterprises have hesitated to fully embrace AI.In 2023, VentureBeat found that while more than 70% of companies were experimenting with AI, only 20% were willing and able to invest more.Open-source tooling offers enterprises cost-effective, accessible AI use with benefits including customization, transparency and platform independence. But it also carries potentially hefty costs for the unprepared. As enterprises expand their AI experimentation, managing these risks becomes critical.Risk #1: Training dataMany AI tools rely on vast stores of training data to develop models and generate outputs. For example, OpenAIs GPT-3.5 was reportedly trained on 570 gigabytes of online text data, approximating 300 billion words.More advanced models require even larger and often less transparent datasets. Some open-source AI tools are released without dataset disclosures or with overwhelming disclosures, limiting useful model evaluations and posing potential risks. For example, a code generation AI tool could be trained on proprietary, licensed datasets without permission, leading to unlicensed output, and potential liability.Related:Open-source AI tools using open datasets still face challenges, such as evaluating data quality to ensure a dataset hasn't been corrupted, is regularly maintained, and includes data suited for the tools intended purpose.Regardless of the datas origins, enterprises should carefully review training data sources and tailor future datasets to the use case, where possible.Risk #2: LicensingProper data, model, and output licensing presents complicated issues for AI proliferation. The open-source community has been discussing the suitability of traditional open-source software licenses for AI models.Current licensing ranges from freely open to partial use restrictions, but unclear criteria for qualifying as open source can lead to licensing confusion. The licensing question can trickle downstream: If a model produces output from a source with a viral license, you may need to adhere to that licenses requirements.With models and datasets evolving constantly, evaluate every AI tools licensing against your chosen use case. Legal teams should help you understand limitations, restrictions and other requirements, like attribution or a flow-down of terms.Risk #3: PrivacyRelated:As global AI regulations emerge and discussions swirl around the misuse of open-source models, companies should assess regulatory and privacy concerns for AI tech stacks.At this stage, be comprehensive in your risk assessments. Ask AI vendors targeted questions, such as:Does the tool use de-identification to remove personal identifiable information (PII), especially from training datasets and outputs?Where is training data and fine-tuning data stored, copied and processed?How does the vendor review and test accuracy and bias, and on what cadence?Is there a way to opt in or out of data collection?Where possible, implement explainability for AI and human review processes. Build trust and the business value of the AI by understanding the model and datasets enough to explain why the AI returned a given output.Risk #4: SecurityOpen-source softwares security benefits simultaneously pose security risks. Many open-source models can be deployed in your environment, giving you the benefit of your security controls. However, open-source models can expose the unsuspecting to new threats, including manipulation of outputs and harmful content by bad actors.AI tech startups offering tools built on open AI can lack adequate cyber security, security teams, or secure development and maintenance practices. Organizations evaluating these vendors should ask targeted questions, such as:Related:Does the open project address cybersecurity issues?Are the developers involved in the project demonstrating secure practices like those outlined by OWASP?Have vulnerabilities and bugs been promptly remediated by the community?Enterprises experimenting with AI tooling should continue following internal policies, processes, standards, and legal requirements. Consider best security practices like:The tools source code should remain subject to vulnerability scanning.Enable branch protection for AI integrations.Interconnections should be encrypted in transit and databases at rest.Establish boundary protection for the architecture and use cases.A strong security posture will serve enterprises well in their AI explorations.Risk #5: Integration and performanceIntegration and performance of AI tooling matters for both internal and external use cases at an organization.Integration can affect many internal elements, like data pipelines, other models and analytics tools, increasing risk exposure and hampering product performance. Tools can also introduce dependencies upon integration, such as open source vector databases supporting model functionality. Consider how those elements affect your tool integration and use cases, and determine what additional adjustments are needed.After integration, monitor AIs impact on system performance. AI vendors may not carry a performance warranty, causing your organization to handle development if open-source AI does not meet your expectations. The costs associated with maintaining and scaling AI functions, including data cleaning and subject matter expertise time, climb quickly.Know Before You Go Open SourceOpen-source AI tooling offers enterprises an accessible and affordable way to accelerate innovation. Still, successful implementation requires scrutiny and a proactive compliance and security posture. An intentional evaluation strategy for hidden costs and considerations of leveraging open-source AI will ensure ethical and intelligent use.About the AuthorJessica HillPrincipal Legal Counsel, Product and Privacy, New RelicJessica Hill is an experienced product and privacy attorney adept at navigating the intersection of law and technology. She had been at New Relic for over three years, where she specializes in cross-functional initiatives to drive compliance and innovation.See more from Jessica HillWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Are you a talented Senior Developer looking for a remote job that lets you show your skills and get decent compensation? Look no further than Lemon.io the marketplace that connects you with hand-picked startups in the US and Europe.What we offer:The rate depends on your seniority level, skills and experience. We've already paid out over $11M to our engineers.No more hunting for clients or negotiating rates let us handle the business side of things so you can focus on what you do best.We'll manually find the best project for you according to your skills and preferences.Choose a schedule that works best for you. Its possible to communicate async or minimally overlap within team working hours.We respect your seniority so you can expect no micromanagement or screen trackers.Communicate directly with the clients. Most of them have technical backgrounds. Sounds good, yeah?We will support you from the time you submit the application throughout all cooperation stages.Most of our projects involve working in a fast-paced startup environment. We hope you like it as much as we do.Through our community, we will connect you with the best developers from more than 50 countries.Requirements:4+ years of software development experience.3+ years of commercial experience with React.js.3+ years of commercial experience with Python AND/OR 4+ years of experience with Node.js.For React & Python Developer: hands-on experience with Next.js, PostgreSQL would be a plus, 3+ years of experience with AWS and TypeScript is a mustFor React & Node Developer: hands-on experience with AWS, Next.js, TypeScript is a must.Strong technical skills: as a Senior Developer, you are expected to be able to create projects from scratch and have a deep understanding of application architecture.Clear and effective communication in English advanced ability to discuss business tasks, justify decisions, and communicate issues. Good self-presentation is also essential for upcoming client calls.Strong self-organizational skills ability to work full-time remotely with no supervision.Reliability we want to trust you and expect that you wont let us and the client down.Adaptability and Flexibility the ability to onboard the project promptly after accepting it and start delivering results quickly.Sounds good for you? Apply now and join the Lemon.io community!NOT YOUR TECH STACK?We have different projects for Senior Developers, so if you have 4+ years of commercial experience in software development and you are fluent with AI Engineering, we would be happy to communicate and provide you with a project that matches your experience. Just apply, and we will share more details with you.If your experience matches our requirements, be ready for the next steps:VideoAsk watch a short video about our startup, up to 10 minutesComplete your profile on our website30-minute screening callTechnical interviewFeedbackMagic Box (we are looking for the best project for you).We do not provide visa assistance, and our cooperation model does not include the benefits typically offered with direct hire.Do you represent a company with engineers who match the description and want to collaborate with us through staff augmentation? Then register here.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook gives 70,000 each to 133 councils that applied for additional supportThe government has put new measures in place to speed up the work of local authorities to identify sites which could be classed as grey belt.The ministry of housing, communities and local government (MHCLG) will hand 9.3m to 133 councils that applied for support to review poor quality areas of their green belt sites, giving them 70,000 each.The grey belt land class was introduced in reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December and is defined as parts of the green belt which do not strongly contribute to three out of five official green belt purposes.Unlocking grey belt sites is seen as a key enabler of the governments ambition to build 1.5 million homes during the course of this parliament.Source: MHCLGMap of green belt sites in EnglandCouncils have been given two-and-a-half years to overhaul their local plans to identify grey belt sites for potential development and find land to accommodate new mandatory housing targets included in the updates to the NPPF.Other measures announced by MHCLG yesterday include regular assessments that aim to ensure councils stay on track to meet their targets, along with guidance around how local plans should be prepared.An additional 4.5m has been given to fund new planning roles in councils as part of proposals to hire 300 extra planners, a target which MHCLG is aiming to exceed by the end of next year.A hike in planning fees for applicants is also expected in order to provide councils with an extra 50m of income to use on hiring more staff and consultants to carry out technical studies and site assessments.Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the government was determined to progress towards universal coverage of local plans.He added: The steps we are taking today will ensure that local plans are simpler, faster to prepare and more accessible so that communities in every part of the country can more easily shape decisions about how to deliver the housing and wider development their areas need.Alongside further guidance and support to help local authorities realise the full potential of this governments planning reforms, these changes will help deliver our ambitious plan for change milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in this parliament.Other measures being deployed by the government to achieve its housing targets include a new homes accelerator, which MHCLG says has unblocked 20,000 delayed homes with the use of planning expertise.Pennycook said earlier this month that work on the first wave of new towns communities each containing 10,000 homes is expected to start within the next four years, with 12 sites to be unveiled this summer.

Move marks the end of LSA as an independent school of architectureThe University College of Estate Management (UCEM) and the London School of Architecture (LSA) have signed a heads of terms agreement outlining plans for a potential merger. The agreement, signed on 19 February 2025, sets out the basis for further discussions, with the merger expected to be completed by May 2025, subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals.If the merger proceeds, the LSA would become part of UCEM but retain its name and existing architectural education model, which is built around work-based training within its practice network. The LSA would continue operating from its recently opened studio on Beechwood Road in Dalston.The agreement follows two years of discussions between UCEM principal Ashley Wheaton and former LSA head of school Neal Shasore. The two organisations previously collaborated on the Future Skills Think Tank,a year-long project aimed at identifying industry needs for green skills in design and construction, with a focus on supporting young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in the wider construction sector.Both institutions describe the merger as a move that seeks to widen access to professional education in the built environment. UCEM, a specialist provider of online education for property and construction, currently has over 4,000 students across more than 100 countries. The LSA, founded in 2015 as the UKs first new independent architecture school in 150 years, has developed a teaching model that integrates students directly into architectural practice through paid placements.The move reflects guidance from the Office for Students, which has encouraged higher education providers to explore mergers and partnerships while expanding their focus on the degree apprenticeship market as a means of improving accessibility and industry alignment.Peter McCrea, chair of UCEMs board, said the institution was delighted by the potential opportunities the merger could create for both organisations. Describing UCEM as the leading provider of higher education to the built environment, he said the move aligned with its ambition to expand its reach.With UCEMs vision to become the centre of excellence for built environment education, growing our provision in the field of architecture through LSAs expertise alongside our current offer, is an exciting prospect for students and industry, he added.Lucy Carmichael, chair of the LSAs board, said the schools educational model, which integrates students directly into practice, would remain central to its approach under the proposed merger, stating: LSAs approach to architectural education enables students to earn while they learn ensuring our diverse and talented student body are critically engaged with practice and highly employable.Under Wheaton and Shasores leadership, UCEM and LSA had secured a 100,000 grant from the Office for Students (OfS) to develop a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in design, construction and management.The apprenticeship is intended to provide young people from diverse backgrounds with multidisciplinary on-site experience as an initial step towards architectural education, aligning with regulatory changes set out by the Architects Registration Board from 2026/27.The trailblazer group responsible for shaping the apprenticeship standard, chaired by Ryders Peter Barker, is currently revising the framework in response to the new regulatory requirements. The OfS grant has also supported research into virtual learning and its application within the construction industry.The LSA has been closely involved in efforts to break down siloes within the construction industry, working with initiatives such as PlanBEE to promote cross-industry qualifications that support greater collaboration and mobility across roles and sectors. Under Shasores leadership, the school has been a strong advocate for education models that foster shared understanding within the industry, and equip built environment professionals with the skills needed to work more effectively across disciplines.These efforts align with broader discussions within the industry on the need for more integrated training pathways that strengthen cooperation between architecture, engineering, and construction, as highlighted in the Edge CommissionsMorrell Report,Collaboration for Change(2015, 2020).>> Also read:London School of Architecture head Neal Shasore to step down>> Also read:LSA launches Part 4 modular lifelong learning programme for built environment professionals

In an announcement to students this morning (28 February), the schools board chair, Lucy Carmichael, said the school had entered into a strategic merger with Reading-based built environment university, the UCEM. The news comes just weeks after the LSAs head and chief executive, Neal Shasore, left the school after three and a half years in the role.The merger will see the LSA officially become a part of the online institution once the higher education sector regulator, the Office for Students, signs off the partnership. That is expected to be some time next month.Carmichael said the LSA and the UCEM were aligned on a vision to earn while you learn, as well as prioritising cross-sector collaboration and interdisciplinary skills. She added in a statement that the partnership would redefine a sustainable model for the mould-breaking school.AdvertisementShe told the AJ: [Our] approach to architectural education enables students to earn while they learn, ensuring our diverse and talented student body are critically engaged with practice and highly employable.Carmichael added: We are excited about the opportunities created by joining forces with UCEM. This alliance will redefine a sustainable model for the LSA by driving forwards our ambitious shared aims within the wider context of professional built environment education.The move ends three months of uncertainty over the future of the school, which was dropped by its long-running validator, the University of Liverpool, in November. Source:UCEM GraduationUCEM's offices in ReadingAs a result, the LSA had temporarily stopped accepting applications for the academic year beginning September 2025. However, applications for the 2025/26 academic year could reopen as early as April following the merger, the AJ understands.From that point on, the LSA will cease to exist as a single charitable entity, instead falling under the UCEMs stewardship. For the first time, certificates for future cohorts will carry the LSAs own name, rather than that of a validator university.AdvertisementThe AJ understands another online education provider, the Open University, had also been considered by the LSA and its board of trustees. Negotiations with the UCEM are believed to have begun as far back as last summer.Separately, the university has applied to take ownership of the LSAs name and branding, according to an application with the governments Intellectual Property Office seen by the AJ. UCEM has since confirmed the school's name will be retained.Peter McCrea, chair of the UCEM board, said: [We are] the leading provider of higher education to the built environment. The board is delighted about the potential that this strategic merger will offer both institutions.He continued: With UCEMs vision to become the centre of excellence for built environment education, growing our provision in the field of architecture through LSAs expertise alongside our current offer, is an exciting prospect for students and industry. Source:Holly-Marie CatoNeal ShasoreThe update comes on the back of the departure of the LSAs head and chief executive Neal Shasore (pictured), who stepped down with immediate effect earlier this month.The exact reason for Shasores decision to step down has not been made public. However, the school said the search for a new head of school would start immediately and it hoped his replacement would have taken up the post by the start of the 2025/26 academic year at the latest.A UCEM academic will take up the role of interim leader while the search for a replacement for the 35-year-old is found, the university told the AJ. The LSAs board of trustees will also cease to exist.The LSA launched in 2015 with an earn as you learn model for Part 2 architecture students, currently has 66 first-year students on its MArch (Part 2) course and 57 second-years, who will be graduating this year.The UCEM, which was founded in 1919, has around 4,000 students, around 80 per cent of whom are in work.Degree courses already under way at the LSA will continue to be accredited by the University of Liverpool until July 2026.The UCEM and LSA say the strategic merger will be completed by May 2025 at the latest.