Artificial intelligence and art have been controversial for years. So it's no surprise that Christie's faced protests over its first-ever AI-dedicated auction, which the auction house says was the first ever from any major auction house, faced protests. In February, more than 5,600 artists signed an open letter asking Christie's to cancel the sale."Many of the artworks you plan to auction were created using AI models that are known to be trained on copyrighted work without a license," the open letter reads in part. "These models, and the companies behind them, exploit human artists, using their work without permission or payment to build commercial AI products that compete with them. Your support of these models, and the people who use them, rewards and further incentivizes AI companies' mass theft of human artists' work."A representative for Christie's shared a statement about the issue."From the beginning, two things have been true about the art world: one, artists are inspired by what came before them, and two, art can spark debate, discussion, and controversy," the statement reads. "The discussions around digital art, including art created using AI technology, are not new and in many ways should be expected. Many artists -- Pop artists, for example -- have been the subject of similar discussions. Having said that, Christie's, a global company with world-class experts, is uniquely positioned to explore the relatively new and ever-changing space of digital art: the artists, collectors, market and challenges."The representative also pointed to a positive reception to the auction on X, formerly Twitter. Artist Daniel Ambrosi tweeted, "So thrilled to have been a part of this unforgettable experience... and delighted that my artwork is going home with someone!" A person looks at AI artwork created by Huemin called Dream-0 #9 at a press preview for Augmented Intelligence at Christie's in New York. Angela Weiss/Getty ImagesThe auction, dubbed Augmented Intelligence, closed Wednesday morning. More than 30 lots attracted hundreds of bids and brought in $728,784, Christie's reports. And there's a generational twist: The auction house says 37% of registrants were completely new to Christie's, and 48% of bidders were millennials or members of Gen Z."The auction redefines the evolution of art and technology, exploring human agency in the age of AI within fine art," a promotional statement from Christie's read. "From robotics to GANs to interactive experiences, artists incorporate and collaborate with artificial intelligence in a variety of mediums including paintings, sculptures, prints, digital art and more."(GANs, or generative adversarial networks, are generative AI models that create new data or images that resemble the data they are trained on.) A person holds a print out of AI artwork created by ClownVamp's The Junk Machine at a press preview for Augmented Intelligence at Christie's in New York. Angela Weiss/Getty ImagesThe open letter gathered 6,493 signatures, of which 5,646 were verified. The signers range from illustrators to authors to art therapists to cinematographers, from countries all across the globe.The highest price in the sale was $277,200 for a work by Refik Anadol titled Machine Hallucinations -- ISS Dreams -- A. It used a data set of more than 1.2 million images taken from the International Space Station and satellites.Another work, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst's Embedding Study 1 & 2, sold for $94,500. It was the result of a text-to-image model trained on altered images of Herndon herself and came to Christie's following its inclusion in the 2024 Whitney Biennial.

Amid rumors about a thinner iPhone, Tecno has unveiled a phone concept called the Spark Slim that's skinnier than a pencil. I got to hold it atthe Mobile World Congressin Barcelona, and it's certainly the lightest and thinnestphoneI've ever encountered (the company says it's just 146 grams).Slim phones are everywhere in 2025Typically, a narrower phone could mean compromising on things like battery life and camera, both of which phone buyers still rank among their highest priorities. But Tecno says the Spark Slim has a 5,200-mAh battery and two 50-megapixel cameras, one wide and one ultrawide.And if you're nervous about sitting on your phone and inadvertently turning it into a foldable, the company said not to worry, as the Spark Slim would use Corning's Gorilla Glass on the display and feature options for a ceramic or stainless steel backing. Tecno said that storage has yet to be determined since this is still just a concept.A thin phone that folds out into a 10-inch tabletThe company also showed off another concept called the Phantom Ultimate 2, a tri-fold phone that's 11 millimeters wide when folded and 3.5mm at its thinnest when unfolded. Its unfurled display measures 10 inches. Tecno says development on this device is so early that the company doesn't have any battery capacity or storage specs to share. The Phantom Ultimate 2 is another superthin phone concept from Tecno, this time in a foldable. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETThin phones are certainly having a moment, with the reveal of Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge in January and the release of Oppo's superslim foldable, the Find N5. Apple is also said to be developing an "iPhone 17 Slim" that could be released in the fall. Whether the Tecno Spark Slim joins the party of real-world devices remains to be seen, but perhaps those chances aren't as slim as they may once have been.

The Sinking City 2 gets first gameplay trailer, smashes crowdfunding goal in less than a dayShoggoth to a great start.Image credit: Frogwares News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on March 7, 2025 Frogwares' Kickstarter campaign for The Sinking City 2 is now live, and has smashed through its crowdfunding target in less than a day - raising over 140K at the time or writing.As part of its crowdfunding drive, Frogwares has shared new The Sinking City 2 details - confirming the Lovecratian sequel to be a standalone story featuring new characters and locations. It's once again set in 1920s America, but instead of revisting Oakmont, players'll this time be exploring the flooded streets and crumbling buildings of Arkham itself.As previously revealed, The Sinking City 2 - which is Frogwares' first Unreal Engine 5 game - marks a shift away from the deduction focus of its predecessor. It's a sequel firmly in survival horror territory, with combat and exploration said to be the core mechanics this time around - which is perhaps a gamble given combat has historically been Frogawares' achilles heel.The Sinking City 2 gameplay reveal trailer.Watch on YouTubeInvestigation work does return, but now it's described as an "optional yet highly useful tool", that'll help players uncover secrets, gameplay bonuses, and lore. The Sinking City 2 is also set to feature a smaller map - explorable both on foot and by boat - that's aiming to provide a "better flow and concentration of things to discover".You'll find a few more details on The Sinking City 2's Kickstarter page, and there's a look at some pre-alpha gameplay in the trailer above.Frogwares is aiming to release The Sinking City 2 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S later this year. And if you want to get involved with its crowdfunding campaign - which it says will help "essentially guarantee our team the time and resources needed to explore" new features - there's still 29 days left before things come to a close.The Ukraine-based Frogwares successfully took a similar crowdfunding approach with 2023's Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened, as it continued to adjust to life during Russia's ongoing invasion. "This financial safety net proved invaluable to us," the studio writes in its latest Kickstarter campaign, "so we need to do the same now with The Sinking City 2 as this game is vastly bigger and more complex."

Mario and Donkey Kong are here.Nintendo has announced two more Game Boy titles to the Switch Online service and they're available right now.First up we have the 1994 title Donkey Kong and along with this is the 1995 puzzle game Mario Picross. You can see both games in action in the video above.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Every year, The Strong Museum announces its 'World Video Game Hall of Fame' finalists and for 2025 and after missing out in 2023, Rare's iconic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter GoldenEye 007 is back.It's up against some tough competition including the following list of games:Age of Empires (1997)Angry Birds (2009)Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)Defender (1981)Frogger (1981)Golden Tee (1989)Harvest Moon (1996)Mattel Football (1977)NBA 2KQuake (1996)Tamagotchi (1996).Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube798kWatch on YouTube If you're not familiar with the Video Game Hall of Fame, it was established to recognise individual electronic games of "all types" (including arcade, console, computer, handheld and mobile) that have "enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general".Players can have their say by voting on the Museum of Play website. Here's exactly how it works:"The three games that receive the most public votes will be submitted on one ballot and will join the other top-three submissions from members of the International Selection Advisory Committee. The public will collectively act as one member of the committee."Which games on this list would you nominate? Let us know in the comments. Other nominees include games like SimCity & Tony Hawk's Pro SkaterRare's FPS GoldenEye 007 didn't make the cut[source museumofplay.org]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNot Even Squaresoft Could Convince Nintendo To Use Discs For The N64Our way or the Royal RacewayCult N64 Platformer 'Glover' Finally Gets Switch Release DateAnd it's very soon

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How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Thursdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Friday is here at lastTGIF!!and here in the mountains of the great southwest, it is finally snowing. Its probably too little, too late given how dry this winter has been, but well take what we can get!In any case, I have snowmen to build and shoveling to do, so lets solve this Wordle!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: ArmyThe Clue: This Wordle has a double letter.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. Id say that today, instead of taking a bite out of crime, CRIME took a bite out of Wordle. Or something. My opener left me with just 83 possible solutions and one green box. I picked all new letters for my second guess, SPOUT, and narrowed the remaining choices to just two words, though I only came up with one: TROOP for the win! PROTO was the other possible answer, but that never even crossed my mind.Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotScreenshot: Erik KainI get 1 point for guessing in three and 0 for tying the Bot. The Bot gets the exact same score.March Running Total: 10 points.Wordle Bot Running Total: -3 points.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "troop" comes from the Old French trope (12th century), meaning "band" or "company," which itself derived from the Medieval Latin troppus, possibly of Germanic origin. It originally referred to a group of people or soldiers and later extended to refer to groups of animals (e.g., a troop of monkeys). The military sense of "troops" as in "soldiers collectively" emerged in the 17th century.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Nearly two months after an explosion sent flaming debris raining down on the Turks and Caicos, SpaceX launched another mammoth Starship rocket on Thursday, but lost contact minutes into the test flight as the spacecraft came tumbling down and broke apart.This time, wreckage from the latest explosion was seen streaming from the skies over Florida. It was not immediately known whether the spacecrafts self-destruct system had kicked in to blow it up.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 403-ft. (123-m.) rocket blasted off from Texas. SpaceX caught the first-stage booster back at the pad with giant mechanical arms, but engines on the spacecraft on top started shutting down as it streaked eastward for what was supposed to be a controlled entry over the Indian Ocean, half a world away. Contact was lost as the spacecraft went into an out-of-control spin.Starship reached nearly 90 mi. (150 km.) in altitude before trouble struck and before four mock satellites could be deployed. It was not immediately clear where it came down, but images of flaming debris were captured from Florida, including near Cape Canaveral, and posted online.The space-skimming flight was supposed to last an hour.Unfortunately this happened last time too, so we have some practice at this now, SpaceX flight commentator Dan Huot said from the launch site.SpaceX later confirmed that the spacecraft experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly" during the ascent engine firing. Our team immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses, the company said in a statement posted online.Starship didnt make it quite as high or as far as last time.NASA has booked Starship to land its astronauts on the moon later this decade. SpaceXs Elon Musk is aiming for Mars with Starship, the worlds biggest and most powerful rocket.Like last time, Starship had mock satellites to release once the craft reached space on this eighth test flight as a practice for future missions. They resembled SpaceXs Starlink internet satellites, thousands of which currently orbit Earth, and were meant to fall back down following their brief taste of space.Starships flaps, computers and fuel system were redesigned in preparation for the next big step: returning the spacecraft to the launch site just like the booster.During the last demo, SpaceX captured the booster at the launch pad, but the spacecraft blew up several minutes later over the Atlantic. No injuries or major damage were reported.According to an investigation that remains ongoing, leaking fuel triggered a series of fires that shut down the spacecrafts engines. The on-board self-destruct system kicked in as planned.SpaceX said it made several improvements to the spacecraft following the accident, and the Federal Aviation Administration recently cleared Starship once more for launch.Starships soar out of the southernmost tip of Texas near the Mexican border. SpaceX is building another Starship complex at Cape Canaveral, home to the companys smaller Falcon rockets that ferry astronauts and satellites to orbit.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsHes Just Not That Into You (2009)The Iron Claw (2023)The Florida Project (2017)Max is about to get a little creepy, thanks to the addition of Heretic, which arrives on March 7. When two Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) stop at the house of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), they become trapped in a labyrinth that will test their fate. The thrilling horror from Scott Beck and Bryan Woods is a terrific showcase for Grant, who has the time of his life playing a narcissistic villain.If youve seenHereticor want to watch something else, there are plenty of other routes to explore on Max. One of those paths involves underrated movies. Lucky for you, we have some recommendations, which include an ensemble rom-com, a tragic sports biopic, and an eye-opening drama from a recent Oscar winner.Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedWarner Bros. PicturesUnfortunately for romance advocates, ensemble rom-coms are a thing of the past. These stories were a good excuse to get a group of famous and attractive actors into one movie. These easy-to-digest movies are the perfect form of escapism. Todays pick is Hes Just Not That Into You.The cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Ginnifer Goodwin, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Justin Long, Scarlett Johansson, and Bradley Cooper.Set in Baltimore, Hes Just Not That Into You follows nine people who navigate love, dating, and everything in between. The standout characters include Gigi (Goodwin), who misreads romantic situations; Janine (Connelly), who thinks her husband (Cooper) might be lying to her; and Mary (Barrymore), a woman whose dates go nowhere. Is every storyline perfect? No, but there is enough romance and charm to keep you watching.Stream Hes Just Not That Into Youon Max.A24Every Academy voter should apologize to Zac Efron for failing to recognize his performance in The Iron Claw, an equally uplifting and devastating movie. Sean Durkins sports biopic chronicles the Von Erich family, who rose to prominence as wrestlers during the 1980s. Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany), the owner of WCWW wrestling, is married to Doris (Maura Tierney).The couple has five sons: Kevin (Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), and Mike (Stanley Simons). The oldest son, Jack Jr., died as a child, leading the family to believe they are cursed. As the boys progress in wrestling, they become superstars. However, it all comes crashing down in this tragic story. Efrons heartbreaking performance should have resulted in a trip to the 2024 Oscars.Stream The Iron Claw on Max.A24Sean Baker is riding high after the success of Anora. The independent film about a Brooklyn sex worker marrying the son of a Russian oligarch won five Oscars, with Baker taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. With Bakers popularity at an all-time high, now is the chance to revisit some of his earlier projects, includingThe Florida Project.The irony ofThe Florida Projectis its portrayal of children living in poverty in the shadow of Disney World. Six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Kimberly Prince) lives with her unemployed mother (Bria Vinaite) at a budget motel a mere minutes from Disney. Moonee frequently gets into trouble with her friends, but thankfully, the kind manager of the motel (Willem Dafoe) gives her a pass.The Florida Projectis an empathetic look at an underrepresented part of America with a gut-punch ending.Stream The Florida Project on Max.Editors Recommendations

Samuel Goldwyn FilmsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsThe Squid and the Whale (2005)The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)Cam (2018)The sheer volume of content on Netflix can feel endless and overwhelmingevery fan knows there are hidden gems out there, but its easy to get lost in the mix. While its always fun to catch up on the latest blockbusters, there are numerous underrated movies on the streamer that are just waiting to be discovered. Despite delivering big on story and originality, these deserving films flew under the radar.Whether youre in the mood for a quirky indie drama, a darkly comedic Western, or a mind-bending thriller, this list has something to make your weekend binge a memorable one. Sometimes, the best movie experiences happen when cinephiles dive into something genuinely unexpected. So get ready for a one-of-a-kind evening spent alone or with loved ones youll be glad you took a chance on these underrated picks!Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedSonyNoah Baumbach, known for directing the more popular Frances Ha and Marriage Story, tells the story of a dysfunctional family in the criminally underrated The Squid and the Whale. Set in 1980s Brooklyn, the indie comedy-drama revolves around the Berkmans, whose lives change for the worse when parents Bernard (Jeff Daniels) and Joan (Laura Linney) announce their divorce. This negatively affects their sons: 16-year-old Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and his younger brother, Frank (Owen Kline). The rift between the family worsens when Bernards pretentious intellectualism and Joans newfound independence cause even more friction.Bolstered by a semi-autobiographical lens that draws from Baumbachs own childhood and the efforts of producer Wes Anderson, the 2005 film is unflinching in its tragicomic approach to its story. Its an honest portrayal of the messiness of divorce, fully embracing awkward and unfiltered moments experienced by its unlikable characters. The Squid and the Whales often quirky and subtle humor may alienate most viewers, but any fan of similar intimate and character-driven portraits of imperfect families should add this one to their watchlist.The Squid and the Whale is streaming on Netflix.NetflixThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, is a six-part Western anthology movie that delivers self-contained tales set in the American frontier. It starts with the titular Buster Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson), a singing gunslinger with a deceptively cheerful demeanor. The stories that follow feature a notable shift in tone, from Near Algodones, where an unfortunate cowboy (James Franco) finds himself repeatedly at the end of a noose, to Meal Ticket, starring Liam Neeson as a struggling impresario and Harry Melling as a limbless artist. Other arcs include a gold prospectors (Tom Waits) battle with fate, a tragic wagon train romance, and a stagecoach journey that leads to somewhere surprising.With beloved classics like No Country for Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and many more under their belt, its no surprise that The Ballad of Buster Scruggs went mostly unnoticed by audiences. It may have beautifully shot segments and a star-studded cast, but the unconventional structure made it inaccessible for many. Like many anthologies, some stories are better than others, which also contributed to many fans aversion to sitting through the movie. That said, the 2018 film rewards patient and thoughtful viewing with its distinct stories, making the most of its Western setting.The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is streaming on Netflix.NetflixCam is a thrilling horror movie thats centered on the world of online sex work, or at least its terrible parts. It follows a camgirl, Alice (Madeline Brewer), who performs under the name Lola_Lola on a popular adult streaming platform. One of her constant goals is to break into the sites top rankings, which requires a lot of work and creativity. Things begin to take a dark turn when she discovers that a doppelgnger has hijacked her channel, mimicking her perfectly and pushing boundaries she never intended to cross. As Alice scrambles to reclaim her digital identity, the film shows its horror roots when the two personas collide.Though criticized for offering surface-level thrills, fans of Cam would argue that its a complex and sharp exploration of both online sex work and the nature of identity in a digital world. Directed by former cam girl Isa Mazzei, the 2018 film has a refreshing understanding of the industry, steering clear of judgment. The horror this time isnt any physical danger, but rather the loss and disassociation from ones own image after its up for grabs online its a timely and universally unsettling fear in the age of deepfakes and artificial intelligence.Cam is streaming on Netflix.Editors Recommendations