Sovereignty has mattered since the invention of the nation state—defined by borders, laws, and taxes that apply within and without. While many have tried to define it, the core idea remains: nations or jurisdictions seek to stay in control, usually to the benefit of those within their borders. Digital sovereignty is a relatively new concept, also difficult to define but straightforward to understand. Data and applications don’t understand borders unless they are specified in policy terms, as coded into the infrastructure. The World Wide Web had no such restrictions at its inception. Communitarian groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, service providers and hyperscalers, non-profits and businesses all embraced a model that suggested data would look after itself. But data won’t look after itself, for several reasons. First, data is massively out of control. We generate more of it all the time, and for at least two or three decades (according to historical surveys I’ve run), most organizations haven’t fully understood their data assets. This creates inefficiency and risk—not least, widespread vulnerability to cyberattack. Risk is probability times impact—and right now, the probabilities have shot up. Invasions, tariffs, political tensions, and more have brought new urgency. This time last year, the idea of switching off another country’s IT systems was not on the radar. Now we’re seeing it happen—including the U.S. government blocking access to services overseas. Digital sovereignty isn’t just a European concern, though it is often framed as such. In South America for example, I am told that sovereignty is leading conversations with hyperscalers; in African countries, it is being stipulated in supplier agreements. Many jurisdictions are watching, assessing, and reviewing their stance on digital sovereignty. As the adage goes: a crisis is a problem with no time left to solve it. Digital sovereignty was a problem in waiting—but now it’s urgent. It’s gone from being an abstract ‘right to sovereignty’ to becoming a clear and present issue, in government thinking, corporate risk and how we architect and operate our computer systems. What does the digital sovereignty landscape look like today? Much has changed since this time last year. Unknowns remain, but much of what was unclear this time last year is now starting to solidify. Terminology is clearer – for example talking about classification and localisation rather than generic concepts. We’re seeing a shift from theory to practice. Governments and organizations are putting policies in place that simply didn’t exist before. For example, some countries are seeing “in-country” as a primary goal, whereas others (the UK included) are adopting a risk-based approach based on trusted locales. We’re also seeing a shift in risk priorities. From a risk standpoint, the classic triad of confidentiality, integrity, and availability are at the heart of the digital sovereignty conversation. Historically, the focus has been much more on confidentiality, driven by concerns about the US Cloud Act: essentially, can foreign governments see my data? This year however, availability is rising in prominence, due to geopolitics and very real concerns about data accessibility in third countries. Integrity is being talked about less from a sovereignty perspective, but is no less important as a cybercrime target—ransomware and fraud being two clear and present risks. Thinking more broadly, digital sovereignty is not just about data, or even intellectual property, but also the brain drain. Countries don’t want all their brightest young technologists leaving university only to end up in California or some other, more attractive country. They want to keep talent at home and innovate locally, to the benefit of their own GDP. How Are Cloud Providers Responding? Hyperscalers are playing catch-up, still looking for ways to satisfy the letter of the law whilst ignoring (in the French sense) its spirit. It’s not enough for Microsoft or AWS to say they will do everything they can to protect a jurisdiction’s data, if they are already legally obliged to do the opposite. Legislation, in this case US legislation, calls the shots—and we all know just how fragile this is right now. We see hyperscaler progress where they offer technology to be locally managed by a third party, rather than themselves. For example, Google’s partnership with Thales, or Microsoft with Orange, both in France (Microsoft has similar in Germany). However, these are point solutions, not part of a general standard. Meanwhile, AWS’ recent announcement about creating a local entity doesn’t solve for the problem of US over-reach, which remains a core issue. Non-hyperscaler providers and software vendors have an increasingly significant play: Oracle and HPE offer solutions that can be deployed and managed locally for example; Broadcom/VMware and Red Hat provide technologies that locally situated, private cloud providers can host. Digital sovereignty is thus a catalyst for a redistribution of “cloud spend” across a broader pool of players. What Can Enterprise Organizations Do About It? First, see digital sovereignty as a core element of data and application strategy. For a nation, sovereignty means having solid borders, control over IP, GDP, and so on. That’s the goal for corporations as well—control, self-determination, and resilience. If sovereignty isn’t seen as an element of strategy, it gets pushed down into the implementation layer, leading to inefficient architectures and duplicated effort. Far better to decide up front what data, applications and processes need to be treated as sovereign, and defining an architecture to support that. This sets the scene for making informed provisioning decisions. Your organization may have made some big bets on key vendors or hyperscalers, but multi-platform thinking increasingly dominates: multiple public and private cloud providers, with integrated operations and management. Sovereign cloud becomes one element of a well-structured multi-platform architecture. It is not cost-neutral to deliver on sovereignty, but the overall business value should be tangible. A sovereignty initiative should bring clear advantages, not just for itself, but through the benefits that come with better control, visibility, and efficiency. Knowing where your data is, understanding which data matters, managing it efficiently so you’re not duplicating or fragmenting it across systems—these are valuable outcomes. In addition, ignoring these questions can lead to non-compliance or be outright illegal. Even if we don’t use terms like ‘sovereignty’, organizations need a handle on their information estate. Organizations shouldn’t be thinking everything cloud-based needs to be sovereign, but should be building strategies and policies based on data classification, prioritization and risk. Build that picture and you can solve for the highest-priority items first—the data with the strongest classification and greatest risk. That process alone takes care of 80–90% of the problem space, avoiding making sovereignty another problem whilst solving nothing. Where to start? Look after your own organization first Sovereignty and systems thinking go hand in hand: it’s all about scope. In enterprise architecture or business design, the biggest mistake is boiling the ocean—trying to solve everything at once. Instead, focus on your own sovereignty. Worry about your own organization, your own jurisdiction. Know where your own borders are. Understand who your customers are, and what their requirements are. For example, if you’re a manufacturer selling into specific countries—what do those countries require? Solve for that, not for everything else. Don’t try to plan for every possible future scenario. Focus on what you have, what you’re responsible for, and what you need to address right now. Classify and prioritise your data assets based on real-world risk. Do that, and you’re already more than halfway toward solving digital sovereignty—with all the efficiency, control, and compliance benefits that come with it. Digital sovereignty isn’t just regulatory, but strategic. Organizations that act now can reduce risk, improve operational clarity, and prepare for a future based on trust, compliance, and resilience. The post Reclaiming Control: Digital Sovereignty in 2025 appeared first on Gigaom.

From garage apartments and carriage houses to backyard guest suites and stand-alone home offices, ADUs are one of the most ingenious ways to maximize your property's available space—and your home's property value. Also known as an accessory dwelling unit, these outbuildings aren't a new concept, but they are becoming more prevalent, thanks to an ultra-competitive housing market. As multigenerational living has become increasingly popular among Americans and home prices continue to rise, more homeowners are looking to expand their homes' footprint with additional living spaces, whether for personal or investment purposes. Accessory dwelling units are essentially your everyday tiny homes. However, unlike tiny home floor plans, ADUs can be attached to a single-family house, depending on the type.As ADUs have become more popular, it only makes sense that interior designers are taking on more projects involving the structures. Whether you're interested in putting in an ADU or want to renovate the current one you have, keep reading to hear from two experts on what's trending in interiors for these unique living units.Related StoriesWhat is an ADU?Joey Puterbaugh and Kristian Alveo for KebonyDesigner Kim Lewis looked to the outdoors when designing this ADU, where the living room opens up to a large patio. An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is an independent, secondary housing unit that resides on a single-family lot. This is not your backyard shed or detached garage—but it could be. There are a few types of ADUs, but they all mainly fall into these three categories: detached, internal, and attached, according to the American Planning Association (APA). A backyard shed or detached garage that's been converted into an ADU falls into the detached category. However, a detached ADU can be a new construction, too. It just needs to be able to stand alone.An internal ADU is a converted portion of an existing home. Think of a basement apartment or a different floor of a home that's been converted into an additional independent living space.Additions to new or existing homes fall under the category of attached ADUs. These share at least one wall with the single-family home, and are also sometimes called "bump-out" ADUs. What Are ADUs Used For?When someone talks about an in-law suite or an attached Airbnb, they're likely talking about an ADU. “Home office and mother-in-law suites are still the main requests and purposes,” Kim Lewis of Kim Lewis Designs says. She's worked on a handful of ADU projects in the past, so the designer is familiar with these additions. A lot of times, homeowners who add on an ADU are doing so to expand their square footage, both for themselves or family members. Lewis explains that multigenerational living is on the rise in the United States, which is why ADUs are becoming more popular. Kori Sassower, principal agent at The Kori Sassower Team, agrees, adding, “Whether it is an aging parent or a 20-something-year-old child looking to save some money, the flexibility of an ADU has become paramount. We have a housing shortage, taxes are increasing, and ADUs are a very good, safe choice as a home improvement.”However, some homeowners are using ADUs as investment opportunities. “Depending on the area, some clients see this as an investment opportunity; utilizing the asset as a short-term rental where property restrictions allow for it,” Lewis explains. As the market for ADUs increases, Lewis predicts that there will be more legislation introduced that allows these home additions in certain jurisdictions. We have a housing shortage, taxes are increasing, ADUs are a very good, safe choice as a home improvement. ADU Trends Experts Are SeeingWhen it comes to the interiors of ADUs, they tend to follow the trends we're seeing in single-family homes. Joy-filled design, unique features, bold paint colors—they're not basic white boxes. Below, find the six biggest trends experts are seeing in ADUs. Architectural Leaps“ADUs are taking more interesting shapes in architecture,” Lewis says. As 3D printed homes become more popular, Lewis predicts that we'll see more curves in architecture with ADUs, like barrel roofs, radius rooflines, and rounded corners on decking. In a market heavily saturated with boxy, square, tiny homes, she's expecting more progressive architecture with the use of large glass walls to bring the outdoors in. Bold AppliancesChase Daniel"I love how we embraced a darker, moody palette, even though the rooms were small," Lewis says of this ADU.Colorful appliances are trending in every type of home right now, and they're not exclusive to large kitchens. Lewis says that small spaces can pack a big punch when it comes to color, and she's seeing more of that in the ADUs (and traditional interiors) she's designing. “I love a dark burgundy cabinet right now,” she adds.Vast Outdoor SpacesJoey Puterbaugh and Kristian Alveo for KebonyThe outdoor space in this ADU by Lewis would make anyone jealous. Large, open outdoor spaces are very common with ADUs, since the living quarters are smaller than those of an average single-family home. “Large decking can be used to create a more useful footprint around the perimeter of the ADU, tying the accessory space to the main home,” Lewis says. “A desire for nature, sustainable living, and more farming at home might point us to more gardening trends with ADUs.” Wellness RetreatsSassower is seeing more ADUs pop up with a focus on wellness rather than actual living. Personal spas, specifically, have been very popular as the weather gets warmer. Sports CenteredSimilar to basement or garage home gyms, ADUs can be used for more athletic purposes, too, says Sassower. She's seen everything from golf simulators and mini basketball courts to interiors that nod to a ski lodge.Personality-Based DesignThe living room of an ADU renovation that Lewis completed in Fredericksburg, TX, features a dark, moody palette. Deep olive green walls and a matching couch make the space feel sophisticated yet warm. Chase DanielThe powder room in the same Texas ADU by Lewis is a true jewel box space, with a standout fluted stone sink.Chase DanielLike regular interior trends, ADU trends have been leaning towards design with more character. “I'm looking forward to using more limewash and Venetian plasters, and I'm always here for a funky tile to add character,” Lewis says.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gained indirect access to a vast network of AI-powered license plate reader cameras operated by Flock Safety, according to documents reviewed by 404 Media. ICE has no direct agreement with Flock, but has accessed the system through search requests routed via local and state law enforcement. The data, obtained from Danville, Illinois, through a public records request, revealed more than 4,000 lookups between June 2024 and May 2025 that listed reasons such as “immigration,” “ICE+ERO” or “ICE WARRANT.” These lookups were conducted by agencies across dozens of states, including police departments in Texas, Florida, Missouri and Arizona. In many cases, local officers acted on informal requests from federal agents. What is Flock Safety and how does the system work? Flock Safety operates over 40,000 automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in more than 5,000 U.S. communities. The cameras continuously record vehicle data, including license plates, color, make and sometimes unique features such as bumper stickers or missing hubcaps. Officers using the system can track a vehicle’s movements over time, often without needing a warrant. According to the company’s documentation, agencies using the ‘National Lookup’ tool can query camera data from jurisdictions nationwide. The company claims that local users control the data and decide who can access it, although critics argue that the audit logs suggest limited oversight. Are police violating state laws or company policy? Illinois law prohibits law enforcement from using ALPR data for immigration enforcement, and Flock’s own policies forbid it. However, the audit data show that ICE and its Enforcement and Removal Operations division were able to utilize the system through state and local police indirectly. Danville officials denied that their officers conducted immigration lookups. However, 404 Media confirmed details of searches with several agencies that cited informal federal requests. Some departments said the data was used in broader criminal probes. Others acknowledged task force officers may have entered immigration-related terms in error. Civil liberties advocates warn that the practice raises significant privacy concerns and calls for public debate over the limits of law enforcement surveillance.

Senior Legal CounselTripledot StudiosWarsaw PL3 minutes agoApplySenior Legal CounselDepartment: Finance & LegalEmployment Type: Permanent - Full TimeLocation: Warsaw, PLDescriptionTripledot Studios is on track to become one of the largest independent mobile games companies in the world.We are a multi-award-winning organisation, and following our recent acquisition announcement, we’re preparing to grow into a global 2,500+ strong team across 12 studios.Our expanded portfolio is set to include some of the biggest titles in mobile gaming, collectively reaching top chart positions around the world and engaging over 25 million daily active users.Tripledot’s guiding principle remains the same: when people love what they do, what they do will be loved by others.We’re building a company we’re proud of – one filled with driven, incredibly smart & detail orientated people, who LOVE making games.Our ambition is to become the most successful games company in the world, and we’re just getting started.Take a look at our games: iOS Store + Google PlayRole OverviewWe are seeking an ambitious Senior Legal Counsel to guide Tripledot Studios through a remarkable period of growth. This is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful work that will shape the future of our business, while also offering a platform for personal and professional growth.This role is suited for a strong, versatile legal generalist with intellectual property and technology focus, displaying a mindset defined by:Proactiveness, drive and accountabilityBusiness acumen, pragmatism and resourcefulnessCuriosity, excellence and positivityGreat work ethics and professionalismRequired Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseKey Responsibilities:Provide accurate, sound and commercial legal advice on wide range of legal issues impacting Tripledot Studios’ products and businessDraft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, with a focus on IP and technologyDraft and maintain clear, user-friendly terms of service, policies, and internal product guidelines to support TDS product development and complianceAssist in the management and protection of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks and copyrightsMaintain a strong knowledge of the mobile game industry, Tripledot Studios’ products and servicesStay ahead of relevant legal developments and translate them into practical guidanceRequired Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseEU/UK/US qualified lawyer with minimum of 7+ years of experience, in-house role exposure viewed favourablyOutstanding written and verbal communication skills in English, coupled with strong interpersonal abilitiesDemonstrable experience working in or with technology companies - video game industry experience is a plusStrong expertise in commercial contracts and intellectual property. Expertise in privacy, compliance or consumer protection idealProven ability to lead complicated projects and advise across multiple jurisdictionsWorking at Tripledot26 days holiday: Enjoy 26 days of paid holiday in addition to national/bank holidays to relax and refresh throughout the year.20 days fully remote working: Work from anywhere in the world, 20 days of the year.Regular company events and rewards: Join in regular events and rewards that celebrate cultural events, our achievements and our team spirit.Private Medical Cover: Have peace of mind with private medical cover, ensuring your and your family's health is in good hands.Daily Free Lunch: Order free food from Pyszne.plMultisport Plus Card: Enjoy access to various sports facilities across Warsaw with the Multisport Plus Card.Employee Assistance Program: Anytime you need it, tap into confidential, caring support with our Employee Assistance Program, always here to lend an ear and a helping hand.Family Forming Support: Receive vital support on your family forming/ fertility journey with our support program [subject to policy]Continuous Professional Development: Propel your career with continuous opportunities for professional development.Office Playroom: Unwind and recharge in our fun and relaxing office playroom. Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

The US has ordered companies that make software used to design semiconductors to stop selling to China without first obtaining export licenses. The restrictions go beyond software alone, covering chemicals for semiconductors, butane and ethane, machine tools, and aviation equipment, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the development. “On May 23, the US Government informed the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) industry about new export controls on EDA software to China and Chinese military end users globally,” said a Siemens EDA spokesperson. “Siemens has supported customers in China for more than 150 years and will continue to work with our customers globally to mitigate the impact of these new restrictions while operating in compliance with applicable national export control regimes. The company continues to support our employees and customers around the world who are using our technology to transform the everyday.” This represents the latest chapter in a tech war that began with restrictions on selling actual semiconductors to China. Now, the US is targeting the tools needed to design those chips — a potentially more damaging approach. Strategic shift to upstream controls Electronic design automation software makers — including industry leaders Cadence, Synopsys, and Siemens EDA — were sent notifications by the Commerce Department last Friday to cease supplying their technology to Chinese customers, the report said. The department will review license requests on a case-by-case basis, it added. The financial implications are substantial. Synopsys and Cadence earn annual revenue of about 16% and 12% from their China business. “With Cadence and Synopsys being US-based companies and Siemens contributing to more than 90% share of the EDA tools globally, this move further tightens EDA software sales in China,” said Neil Shah, VP for research and partner at Counterpoint Research. “EDA tools cannot be substituted and are the foundation to chip design and manufacturing.” What makes this strategically different is its upstream focus. Manish Rawat, semiconductor analyst at TechInsights, explained that, unlike previous hardware restrictions, “the new focus on EDA software targets the critical tools essential for designing advanced chips (5nm and below). This upstream control aims to block innovation before chips are manufactured, making it a more preemptive and disruptive tactic.” Why now? The timing reflects broader strategic recalibration. Rawat noted that “the US has shifted its strategy, now seeing China’s push for tech self-sufficiency — especially in AI and semiconductors — as a growing national security threat.” Since the 2020 CHIPS Act, coordinated export controls with allies like Japan and the Netherlands have strengthened US resolve. Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research, observed that targeting design-phase technologies “seeks to constrain the conceptual stage of advanced chip development — not merely production.” The timing may also serve as “a strategic bargaining tool amid paused tariffs and ongoing diplomacy,” Rawat suggested, signaling US willingness to escalate tech restrictions to strengthen its negotiating position. The EDA software packages from companies like Synopsys and Cadence are central to modeling, simulation, and verification of complex semiconductor architectures. “The software lifecycle of these tools is super important with updates, patches, and support to be at the forefront of leading edge, which will stop with the restrictions on licensing,” Shah pointed out. This ongoing dependency means even alternative tools would struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving chip design requirements without continuous vendor support. China’s long road to independence For China, developing viable alternatives presents enormous challenges. While Chinese companies like Empyrean, Primarius, and Entasys have emerged as domestic providers, they remain far behind. “Developing advanced EDA software on par with Synopsys or Cadence is highly complex, requiring decades of R&D,” Rawat explained. “Fully closing the gap — especially for cutting-edge sub-7nm chip design — could take 5 to 10 years or more.” Gogia added that “while notable progress has been made in selected areas of analog and layout tooling, full-stack integration across simulation, IP compatibility, and foundry certification continues to lag.” The gap is widening. Shah noted that Cadence recently announced M2000 Supercomputers, integrating advanced AI into EDA workflows. “This widens the gap between what China can build with an indigenous toolchain, as these US companies are miles ahead.” However, China may have breathing room. “China has been relegated to access to advanced process nodes, so in the near to mid-term, they might not need an advanced toolchain as they won’t be able to design or manufacture advanced chips,” Shah observed. Beijing’s likely response China’s response will likely be multifaceted. “Beijing is likely to accelerate funding through increased subsidies and incentives for domestic EDA startups,” Rawat said. “It will also aggressively recruit global experts and repatriate Chinese talent with semiconductor software expertise.” Beyond domestic development, “China may build alternative chip design ecosystems less reliant on US intellectual property, though these will initially lag in sophistication,” Rawat added. Diplomatic measures may include reciprocal restrictions on US firms or supply chains involving Chinese technology. Toward a bifurcated design world The restrictions are accelerating what analysts see as an inevitable split. Gogia described emerging “parallel EDA stacks” where “global design ecosystems may begin to diverge, with export controls catalyzing separate compliance frameworks and IP governance models.” “This is accelerating a split into two spheres: a US-led system using Western tools and IP protections, and a China-led system focused on domestic tools and foundries,” Rawat added. This separation isn’t just technical — it’s institutional. “Engineering workflows, legal oversight, cloud infrastructure, and partner ecosystems are all being restructured to manage compliance in a fractured regulatory environment,” Gogia said. Global industry implications For multinational companies, this fragmentation creates significant challenges. “Multinational firms may need to adopt dual design workflows and navigate stricter compliance, affecting partnerships and operational efficiency,” Rawat said. Organizations face maintaining duplicate systems and complex compliance across jurisdictions. Smaller firms may find duplication costs force market exits or a narrowed geographic focus. To mitigate risks, companies “are likely to diversify supply chains and expand in neutral regions like India, Vietnam, and Singapore, emerging as new semiconductor design hubs,” Rawat pointed out. The EDA software restrictions represent the latest evolution in US-China tech competition, moving from end-product controls to fundamental design capabilities. “US continues to find stranglehold on China with critical software and hardware to cut off access to critical and advanced tools,” Shah said. For enterprise technology leaders, this signals an era where geopolitical considerations increasingly shape technology architecture decisions, requiring strategic planning for an increasingly fragmented world. Cadence and Synopsys did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.There is a moment during every big move where it hits you: Moving is really freaking expensive. The expenses—from packing supplies and the truck itself to the costs related to cleaning, painting, and utility deposits—will pile up. And I'm not even including the costs of furniture that better fits your new space. Budget—and cushion your budgetI spoke to a number of moving experts—especially people who work at moving companies and have been in the business for years—and most of them emphasized budget before your move—and overestimating what you think you'll spend. Both Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ, and Rob Rimeris, owner of EverSafe Moving Co., say you should add 10 to 15% to your final budget as a cushion. Rimeris says that "isn't just practical," but "gives people back a sense of agency when plans shift." A few often-overlooked expenses that came up included these: tips for your movers (as well as insurance) fuel for the truck or car if you are moving some or all of your possessions, cleaning fees for the place you move into or out of, repairs for your old home, unforeseen extra charges from the movers, and furniture assembly. But wait, there's more: "It may not seem critical at first, but planning for food and takeaway expenses is also important," says Shanaiqua D'sa, content marketing lead at Attic Self Storage. "You're unlikely to cook on moving day or even in the days immediately following, especially if your kitchen isn't fully set up yet or you're simply too tired." Kids and pets, too, "slow down the moving process," she says, so you might want to arrange for someone to look after them. Only move what's necessaryYou're already overwhelmed by how much you have to do and I totally get that, but this is a perfect opportunity to declutter your stuff. In fact, decluttering was cited as a top money-saving tip by many pros: "The biggest mistake we see people make time and time again is underestimating how much stuff they have," says Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Moving."Get rid of anything you do not need because the less stuff you have, the cheaper the move will be," adds Marshall Aikman, owner of Amazing Moves Moving & Storage. Sell what you can and buy what you need (used)Consider selling some of what you're getting rid of, as long as you start with enough lead time before your moving day. D'sa points out that you can generate money for the move by offloading old stuff to buyers. If you have enough time between decluttering and moving, list furniture and clothes on sites like Poshmark and Mercari. If you don't have much time, keep it local and stick with Facebook Marketplace, where buyers can come pick up furniture and other objects directly from you and hand over cash. The last time I moved, I listed furniture on Facebook Marketplace and promised myself that if it didn't sell before I left my old place, I had to take it as a loss and donate it, but as Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove points out, you can also list it in Buy Nothing groups as a free pickup. Whatever it takes to get it out of your space!If you really have enough lead time, organize a rummage sale. It's not as easy to coordinate if you live in a larger city, although I've certainly seen it done, but I grew up in a rural place where this was the norm. As long as you're doing it on private property, most jurisdictions don't require a permit for a short-term yard sale, but please check. Put up a few signs, post some ads on Craigslist, and haul all your for-sale wares to your garage or front lawn. Be prepared to take lowball offers and haggle a little, but you'll be surprised by how much actually sells. You can (and should) list it all on the aforementioned apps and digital marketplaces, too, then donate whatever is left over before the move. If you're moving to a bigger home, online resale and yard sales are also how I recommend filling it—at least at first. Moving is a massive expense, and it might not be feasible to buy or finance big furniture sets from retail stores at first. On the other hand, occupying a near-empty house is a bummer. Buy used essentials to save money and get your home in order. You can re-list it and sell it if and when you're more settled in and financially prepared for better furniture—or you may even fall in love with your eclectic decor collection and keep it. Go “stooping”There is another, even less-expensive option if you need furniture fast. If you live in a big city, you’re familiar with the classic practice of picking up free furniture from the sides of the street. If you live in New York and spend time on Instagram, you’re also probably familiar with the account that makes doing that even easier.@StoopingNYC has 479,000 followers who dutifully snap pics of discarded furniture throughout the five boroughs and DM it to the account owners, along with location details. The owners, in turn, post the photos and relevant information on the account’s story as well as on the grid, encouraging New Yorkers to have at it.“Stooping is the act of hunting down discarded street freebies that has the added benefit of being both an activity you can do outdoors and one that ultimately enriches the space where you’re most likely spending all of your time: your apartment or house!” the couple behind @StoopingNYC tells me.If, instead, you don’t live in a big city where stooping is regularly practiced, snag some stuff on the cheap by mapping out the weekend’s best local yard sales or head to all the online marketplaces where you’re actively ditching your old stuff to make room for the new (to you) stuff your new place will need. (Craigslist also has a “free” section where people frequently give away items.)One word of caution in either case: Make sure you clean the products well and proceed with caution when picking out anything made with fabric, like couches or armchairs. You know what’s not inexpensive? Exterminators.Save on packing suppliesYour budget will include packing supplies like boxes, bubble wrap, and tape, but you should also remember that what you have available can work well to help you pack. You have to move your blankets, towels, clothing, socks, and scarves already, so wrap them around valuables to save some money and space. Per Rimeris, "T-shirts cushion dishes better than bubble wrap ever did." Think about nesting, too. Chica says, "Suitcases, laundry baskets, and grocery totes are all great for packing general items." Again, you're already taking them with you. Make them help you and save some money on boxes. Many pros also suggested diversifying how you look for boxes. Buying new boxes can be pricy and wasteful, since you're not going to keep them when you're done with all this. Instead, ask local shops if you can have some of their boxes. Grocery and liquor stores, for instance, always have a bunch. Just make sure they're strong and clean. One thing you can't finagle a workaround on: tape. Chica cautions against buying cheap tape, as "you'll regret it when a box or bag breaks open mid-move." Rimeris agrees: "Heavy-duty tape, a marker you can actually read, and clean, strong boxes are worth every penny." That said, he assures me you don't need "pre-made kits or expensive wardrobe boxes," so feel free to ignore expensive moving-supply marketing tactics. Decide whether to hire movers or ask your buddiesMovers are great, especially if you have particularly valuable items, a lot of furniture, or a big journey ahead of you. There are other ways to transport your items, however.Consider enlisting some pals for the big move. Promise pizza and beer or straight-up cash if your friends will help you haul your stuff. They care about you and probably charge less than real movers—but you should also keep in mind that you might also get what you pay for, here.“Honestly, if you can afford movers, get movers,” said Shannon Palus, a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has moved more than a dozen times in her life and managed her most recent move for less than $60. “It is really, really nice to have people move your things. I think if you are going the U-Haul-and-friends route, hire someone from a service like Task Rabbit to help with the heavier stuff. I think any money you can spend on moving, you should. They say that you’re supposed to spend money on experiences to be happy, right? Spending your day doing something other than lifting boxes is the ultimate good experience.”There are ways to compromise here, though. You can hire movers for the big, expensive stuff and hoof it with your friends for the small, cheap stuff. Palus pointed out, too, that her most recent move cost less than $60 because she used ride-sharing apps to hail cars and only had small items to move. “Be communicative about it, allow [the driver] to decline, and tip really well,” she said. “I also don’t move everything via Lyft; I do some trips on the subway.If you decide to go for movers, get a written estimate from a few different places. These should outline services, fees, and timing, says Beller. You can even request an itemized estimate upfront to avoid surprise fees. Just be sure you're being honest when you share your half of the details. Don't hide that you live in a walk-up, for instance, or own heavy antique furniture. You're only setting yourself up for surprise fees that way. Schedule smartlyYou don't always get to pick when we move, especially if you're moving from rental to rental. That said, if you can, try to schedule your move for off-peak times. Kris Kay, director of operations at UNITS Moving and Portable Storage, says you can usually get lower rates by moving mid-week or mid-month. The summer is the most expensive month for moving because it's the most common time, too, so if you have any wiggle room there, aim for spring or fall. Protect your security depositThere are a few benefits to packing and moving a little on your own before movers show up. Not only do you save money by doing some of your own labor, but you have a chance to scope out your place as you disassemble furniture and box up your stuff. If you're a renter, you'll want to try and get your security deposit back, which means cleaning the inside and outside of appliances, wiping down bathroom fixtures and floors, and, of course, fixing any damage. If the damage is minor, try to do it on your own: Patch small holes from picture frames and wall mounts, remove scuffs from walls and floors, and tighten any loose screws. As Chica says, "A minor fix can end up pitting a pretty decent dent in your security deposit."When you're moving, take care not to cause damage, too. Chica says you should never drag furniture. That's only asking for trouble. When everything is removed from the space, document the condition of the unit with photographs.

Senior Tax ManagerUnityBengaluru, India5 hours agoApplyThe opportunityCompany Overview:Unity Technologies is the creator of the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D (RT3D) content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, and filmmakers, use Unity to bring their ideas to life. Our platform provides tools that enable businesses worldwide to innovate, scale, and bring new experiences to their users.At Unity, we are passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and growth. Join us to help power the next generation of creators in their journey to build amazing experiences.The Role:We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Tax Manager to oversee the Unity tax team in India and support the global team in a variety of strategic areas, including India tax, global tax provision, transfer pricing, Global VAT, and US indirect tax. Reporting to the Global Head of Tax, you will play a critical role in ensuring compliance, managing risks, and driving strategic initiatives related to tax within the region and across the tax organization. This position requires a hands-on, detail-oriented professional with a deep understanding of corporate tax, transfer pricing, and indirect tax operations across multiple jurisdictions. As we grow, this role will be pivotal in shaping our tax strategy in a fast-moving environment and ensuring alignment with Unity’s global tax policies and business objectives.What you'll be doingTax Compliance and Reporting - lead and manage tax compliance for India, including corporate income tax, GST, TDS, etc.; support the existing APAC tax operations team in managing tax compliance across APAC jurisdictions; oversee tax provision and reporting processes for APAC and global indirect tax; partner with the Finance org and external advisors to resolve compliance and reporting matters; build and oversee a team to support key tax compliance process for EMEA VAT, US indirect tax, and global transfer pricingTax Advisory and Planning - support business expansion and new initiatives from a tax perspective, including M&A activities, new product launches, and restructuring projects; provide regional tax expertise on corporate structure optimization, effective tax rates, and incentives; advise on cross-border transactions, intercompany charges, and ensure compliance with regional transfer pricing regulationsRisk Management and Audit Defense - proactively manage tax risks in the region by maintaining thorough documentation and staying up to date with changing tax laws and regulations; represent the company during tax audits and work collaboratively with tax authorities as necessary; ensure compliance with BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) requirements, including economic substance initiatives and Pillar 2 global tax initiativesBusiness Partnering - collaborate closely with finance, legal, and business teams to monitor and support Unity's regional operations; act as a trusted partner by providing clear communication and practical advice on tax matters including contract reviews; develop strong relationships with external tax advisors, government agencies, and other stakeholdersTax Process Improvement - identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of tax workflows; support the deployment and integration of tax technology solutions for indirect and direct tax automation, partnering with IT when necessaryWhat we're looking forBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related field; CPA, Chartered Accountant (CA), or an advanced degree in taxation is strongly preferred.10+ years of relevant tax experience, including in-house corporate tax in a multinational environment and/or Big 4 advisory firms with domestic Indian tax compliance expertise and exposure to APAC tax jurisdictions and 3+ years managing a team in-house and/or at Big 4 advisory firms.Strong expertise in regional corporate tax, transfer pricing, and indirect tax laws (familiarity with countries like China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, India, Taiwan, and others in APAC - knowledge of EMEA VAT and US indirect tax is a plus)Robust knowledge of international tax principles, including OECD guidelines, BEPS, and US GAAP, including ASC 740 tax reporting.Proven experience managing tax audits and disputes across multiple jurisdictions.You might also haveExceptional analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with a strong attention to detail.Advanced communication and stakeholder management abilities; able to distill complex tax topics for non-tax professionals.Knowledge or experience in working within the gaming, technology, or software-as-a-service (SaaS) industries.Familiarity with APAC regional tax incentives and grants for technology-driven businesses.Experience with tax technology tools (e.g, Alteryx, Onesource, Power Automate) is a plus.Additional informationRelocation support is not available for this position.Work visa/immigration sponsorship is not available for this positionLife at UnityUnity [NYSE: U] is the leading platform to create and grow games and interactive experiences. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, infrastructure experts, filmmakers, and more, use Unity to bring their imaginations to life across multiple platforms, from mobile, PC, and console, to spatial computing.As of the third quarter of 2024, more than 70% of the top 1,000 mobile games were made with Unity, and in 2024, Made with Unity applications had an average of 3.7 billion downloads per month. For more information, please visit Unity.Unity is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. If there are preparations or accommodations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please fill out this form to let us know.This position requires the incumbent to have a sufficient knowledge of English to have professional verbal and written exchanges in this language since the performance of the duties related to this position requires frequent and regular communication with colleagues and partners located worldwide and whose common language is English.Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. Unity does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. Unity will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with Unity.Your privacy is important to us. Please take a moment to review our Prospect and Applicant Privacy Policies. Should you have any concerns about your privacy, please contact us at DPO@unity.com.#SEN #LI-AM1 Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

Position Title: Senior Programmer (Remote/Hybrid) Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United StatesJob Category: Technical SolutionsJob Type: Full TimeDescription:Overview - Senior Programmer (Remote/Hybrid)Salary Range: ($100k-$130k) depending on experience and qualifications. Overview Would you like to work as part of a collaborative, dynamic, multidisciplinary project team of subject matter experts and clinical specialists on a wide range of Technical Applications? Are you energized by designing, building, and maintaining web applications in a fast-paced team environment? Join our team of professionals to help customers realize mission-enabling benefits from implementing leading-edge technologies. The senior programmer creates and maintains innovative software solutions that enhance efficiencies for all MCA/SGS departments. This role's primary responsibility is to lead programming efforts during new solution development and existing solution enhancement. Additionally, the senior programmer is expected to mentor other members of MCA/SGS's software solutions team. The Senior Developer creates and maintains innovative software solutions, which enhance efficiencies for MCA/SGS customers and departments. This role focuses on the development, support, and maintenance of new and legacy web applications in a fast-paced, high-demand team environment to help the customer realize mission-enabling benefits from implementing leading-edge technologies.Remote Senior Programmer ResponsibilitiesDesign and build efficient, well-tested, and reusable User Interface custom components using JavaScript, .NET, C#, WPF, VB.NET, HTML5, CSS, Angular, Atlassian products, Python, 4D, and Batch/Shell scripting.Analyze and interpret complex requirements from customersEnsure consistency with an established software development architectureIntroduce new technologies and best practices as needed to solve business problemsBe a part of the development team to create practical solutions in an Agile/DevOps environmentBe an expert in research and identify a technical solution and be a mentor to other staff team membersWork under consultative or self-initiated direction to develop innovative, data-driven software solutions that enable efficiency or complicated analysisInterface with various MCA/SGS departments and end-users to gather business requirements used to develop useful data capture tools, data manipulations, data views, and tracking mechanisms.Design elegant and understandable code with clear process flow and version control.Create efficient front-end designs and UI/UX.Learn new development techniques and programming languages as the field continues to evolve and MCA/SGS needs dictate.Enhance existing systems through regular communication with key stakeholders, analysis, modification, and improvement.Establish and maintain written processes and systems to identify and correct software defects.Convert current stopgap solutions to long-term MCA/SGS assets.Create new and enhance existing operational documentation.Document lessons learned and incorporate learnings into future workContribute to the development and maintenance of MCA/SGS's SDLCParticipate in cross-functional project teams as required.Consult closely with the Director of Technical Solutions on projects, milestones, and tasks.Comply with all State and Federal regulations and abide by company policies and procedures.Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned.Remote Senior Programmer QualificationsBachelor's degree (BA/BS) from an accredited 4-year college or university required in Computer Programming or a related fieldCertification of skill or Database Development/Management, Computer Science preferredStrong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities10+ years of related programming experienceExperience developing and maintaining software solutions that encompass both database and Windows application solutionsExperience with project management and Agile methodologies preferredExperience using manipulating and presenting data using MS Excel. Experience with MS Office and Visio preferredExcellent written and verbal communication skills to coordinate development efforts with all stakeholders and team members.Ability to write technical documentation to support version control, department SOPs, and collaboration with external entitiesAbility to obtain and maintain a security clearanceU.S. Citizen Software ExpertiseVisual Studio 2015 & laterMS ExcelSource Controls such as GitMS Access Programming ExperienceC#, .NET, WPF, VB.NETWeb APIs and WCF services/API (Windows Communication Foundation).Net Core applicationsHTML, JavaScript, CSS, Angular and JSONPython4DMSSQL/MySQL, be able to develop and maintain SQL scripts including stored procedures, views and functions.Batch/Shell scripting For a career path that is both challenging and rewarding, join Sedgwick Government Solutions talented team. Taking care of people is at the heart of everything we do. Our clients depend on our talented colleagues to take care of their most valuable assetstheir employees, and their customers. At Sedgwick Government Solutions, caring counts . Join our team of creative and caring people of all backgrounds and help us make a difference in the lives of others. Sedgwick Government Solutions provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in jurisdictions requiring pay transparency in job postings. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and cost of a specific location. For the jurisdiction noted in this job posting only, the range of starting pay for this role is ($100,000 - $130,000). A comprehensive benefits package is offered including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, 401k and matching, PTO, disability and life insurance, employee assistance, flexible spending or health savings account, and other additional voluntary benefits.To be considered for this position, please submit a resume, and complete the application.The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Important Information Successful candidates will be required to undergo a financial and criminal background check and obtain and maintain confidential-level security clearance upon hire. We participate in the United States Federal Government E-Verify program to confirm the employment authorization of the employee upon hire. Search Firm Representatives Please be advised that Sedgwick Government Solutions (Government Solutions) is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, a valid written agreement and task order must be in place before any resumes are submitted to Government Solutions. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Government Solutions without a valid written agreement and task order in place will be deemed the sole property of Government Solutions and no fee will be paid in the event that person is hired by Government Solutions. Government Solutions strives to make our career site accessible to all users. If you need a disability-related accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Government Solutions regarding accommodations. Sedgwick Government Solutions is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal state or local laws as appropriate, or upon the protected status of the persons relatives, friends or associates. Sedgwick Government Solutions abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) . This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. Sedgwick Government Solutions abides by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) . This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.About Sedgwick Sedgwick Government Solutions is a fully owned subsidiary of Sedgwick. Sedgwick is a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits, and integrated business solutions. Taking care of people is at the heart of everything we do. Millions of people and organizations count on Sedgwick each year to take care of their needs when they face a major life event or something unexpected happens. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to clients' specific needs in casualty, property, marine . click apply for full job detailsApply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Meet JobCopilot: Your Personal AI Job HunterAutomatically Apply to Remote Full-Stack Programming JobsJust set your preferences and Job Copilot will do the rest-finding, filtering, and applying while you focus on what matters. Activate JobCopilot

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has taken the world by storm since its launch in November 2022. What started as a tool to supercharge productivity through writing essays and code with short text prompts has evolved into a behemoth with 300 million weekly active users. 2024 was a big year for OpenAI, from its partnership with Apple for its generative AI offering, Apple Intelligence, the release of GPT-4o with voice capabilities, and the highly-anticipated launch of its text-to-video model Sora. OpenAI also faced its share of internal drama, including the notable exits of high-level execs like co-founder and longtime chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and CTO Mira Murati. OpenAI has also been hit with lawsuits from Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers alleging copyright infringement, as well as an injunction from Elon Musk to halt OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit. In 2025, OpenAI is battling the perception that it’s ceding ground in the AI race to Chinese rivals like DeepSeek. The company has been trying to shore up its relationship with Washington as it simultaneously pursues an ambitious data center project, and as it reportedly lays the groundwork for one of the largest funding rounds in history. Below, you’ll find a timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we’ve been updating throughout the year. If you have any other questions, check out our ChatGPT FAQ here. To see a list of 2024 updates, go here. Timeline of the most recent ChatGPT updates Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you’ve built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | June 5 REGISTER NOW May 2025 OpenAI CFO says hardware will drive ChatGPT’s growth OpenAI plans to purchase Jony Ive’s devices startup io for $6.4 billion. Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, thinks that the hardware will significantly enhance ChatGPT and broaden OpenAI’s reach to a larger audience in the future. OpenAI’s ChatGPT unveils its AI coding agent, Codex OpenAI has introduced its AI coding agent, Codex, powered by codex-1, a version of its o3 AI reasoning model designed for software engineering tasks. OpenAI says codex-1 generates more precise and “cleaner” code than o3. The coding agent may take anywhere from one to 30 minutes to complete tasks such as writing simple features, fixing bugs, answering questions about your codebase, and running tests. Sam Altman aims to make ChatGPT more personalized by tracking every aspect of a person’s life Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said during a recent AI event hosted by VC firm Sequoia that he wants ChatGPT to record and remember every detail of a person’s life when one attendee asked about how ChatGPT can become more personalized. OpenAI releases its GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini AI models in ChatGPT OpenAI said in a post on X that it has launched its GPT-4.1 and GPT4.1 mini AI models in ChagGPT. OpenAI has launched a new feature for ChatGPT deep research to analyze code repositories on GitHub. The ChatGPT deep research feature is in beta and lets developers connect with GitHub to ask questions about codebases and engineering documents. The connector will soon be available for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users, with support for Enterprise and Education coming shortly, per an OpenAI spokesperson. OpenAI launches a new data residency program in Asia After introducing a data residency program in Europe in February, OpenAI has now launched a similar program in Asian countries including India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The new program will be accessible to users of ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Edu, and API. It will help organizations in Asia meet their local data sovereignty requirements when using OpenAI’s products. OpenAI to introduce a program to grow AI infrastructure OpenAI is unveiling a program called OpenAI for Countries, which aims to develop the necessary local infrastructure to serve international AI clients better. The AI startup will work with governments to assist with increasing data center capacity and customizing OpenAI’s products to meet specific language and local needs. OpenAI for Countries is part of efforts to support the company’s expansion of its AI data center Project Stargate to new locations outside the U.S., per Bloomberg. OpenAI promises to make changes to prevent future ChatGPT sycophancy OpenAI has announced its plan to make changes to its procedures for updating the AI models that power ChatGPT, following an update that caused the platform to become overly sycophantic for many users. April 2025 OpenAI clarifies the reason ChatGPT became overly flattering and agreeable OpenAI has released a post on the recent sycophancy issues with the default AI model powering ChatGPT, GPT-4o, leading the company to revert an update to the model released last week. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the issue on Sunday and confirmed two days later that the GPT-4o update was being rolled back. OpenAI is working on “additional fixes” to the model’s personality. Over the weekend, users on social media criticized the new model for making ChatGPT too validating and agreeable. It became a popular meme fast. OpenAI is working to fix a “bug” that let minors engage in inappropriate conversations An issue within OpenAI’s ChatGPT enabled the chatbot to create graphic erotic content for accounts registered by users under the age of 18, as demonstrated by TechCrunch’s testing, a fact later confirmed by OpenAI. “Protecting younger users is a top priority, and our Model Spec, which guides model behavior, clearly restricts sensitive content like erotica to narrow contexts such as scientific, historical, or news reporting,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch via email. “In this case, a bug allowed responses outside those guidelines, and we are actively deploying a fix to limit these generations.” OpenAI has added a few features to its ChatGPT search, its web search tool in ChatGPT, to give users an improved online shopping experience. The company says people can ask super-specific questions using natural language and receive customized results. The chatbot provides recommendations, images, and reviews of products in various categories such as fashion, beauty, home goods, and electronics. OpenAI wants its AI model to access cloud models for assistance OpenAI leaders have been talking about allowing the open model to link up with OpenAI’s cloud-hosted models to improve its ability to respond to intricate questions, two sources familiar with the situation told TechCrunch. OpenAI aims to make its new “open” AI model the best on the market OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI system that will be openly accessible, allowing users to download it for free without any API restrictions. Aidan Clark, OpenAI’s VP of research, is spearheading the development of the open model, which is in the very early stages, sources familiar with the situation told TechCrunch. OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 may be less aligned than earlier models OpenAI released a new AI model called GPT-4.1 in mid-April. However, multiple independent tests indicate that the model is less reliable than previous OpenAI releases. The company skipped that step — sending safety cards for GPT-4.1 — claiming in a statement to TechCrunch that “GPT-4.1 is not a frontier model, so there won’t be a separate system card released for it.” OpenAI’s o3 AI model scored lower than expected on a benchmark Questions have been raised regarding OpenAI’s transparency and procedures for testing models after a difference in benchmark outcomes was detected by first- and third-party benchmark results for the o3 AI model. OpenAI introduced o3 in December, stating that the model could solve approximately 25% of questions on FrontierMath, a difficult math problem set. Epoch AI, the research institute behind FrontierMath, discovered that o3 achieved a score of approximately 10%, which was significantly lower than OpenAI’s top-reported score. OpenAI unveils Flex processing for cheaper, slower AI tasks OpenAI has launched a new API feature called Flex processing that allows users to use AI models at a lower cost but with slower response times and occasional resource unavailability. Flex processing is available in beta on the o3 and o4-mini reasoning models for non-production tasks like model evaluations, data enrichment, and asynchronous workloads. OpenAI’s latest AI models now have a safeguard against biorisks OpenAI has rolled out a new system to monitor its AI reasoning models, o3 and o4 mini, for biological and chemical threats. The system is designed to prevent models from giving advice that could potentially lead to harmful attacks, as stated in OpenAI’s safety report. OpenAI launches its latest reasoning models, o3 and o4-mini OpenAI has released two new reasoning models, o3 and o4 mini, just two days after launching GPT-4.1. The company claims o3 is the most advanced reasoning model it has developed, while o4-mini is said to provide a balance of price, speed, and performance. The new models stand out from previous reasoning models because they can use ChatGPT features like web browsing, coding, and image processing and generation. But they hallucinate more than several of OpenAI’s previous models. OpenAI has added a new section to ChatGPT to offer easier access to AI-generated images for all user tiers Open AI introduced a new section called “library” to make it easier for users to create images on mobile and web platforms, per the company’s X post. OpenAI could “adjust” its safeguards if rivals release “high-risk” AI OpenAI said on Tuesday that it might revise its safety standards if “another frontier AI developer releases a high-risk system without comparable safeguards.” The move shows how commercial AI developers face more pressure to rapidly implement models due to the increased competition. OpenAI is currently in the early stages of developing its own social media platform to compete with Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Instagram and Threads, according to The Verge. It is unclear whether OpenAI intends to launch the social network as a standalone application or incorporate it into ChatGPT. OpenAI will remove its largest AI model, GPT-4.5, from the API, in July OpenAI will discontinue its largest AI model, GPT-4.5, from its API even though it was just launched in late February. GPT-4.5 will be available in a research preview for paying customers. Developers can use GPT-4.5 through OpenAI’s API until July 14; then, they will need to switch to GPT-4.1, which was released on April 14. OpenAI unveils GPT-4.1 AI models that focus on coding capabilities OpenAI has launched three members of the GPT-4.1 model — GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and GPT-4.1 nano — with a specific focus on coding capabilities. It’s accessible via the OpenAI API but not ChatGPT. In the competition to develop advanced programming models, GPT-4.1 will rival AI models such as Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro, Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and DeepSeek’s upgraded V3. OpenAI will discontinue ChatGPT’s GPT-4 at the end of April OpenAI plans to sunset GPT-4, an AI model introduced more than two years ago, and replace it with GPT-4o, the current default model, per changelog. It will take effect on April 30. GPT-4 will remain available via OpenAI’s API. OpenAI could release GPT-4.1 soon OpenAI may launch several new AI models, including GPT-4.1, soon, The Verge reported, citing anonymous sources. GPT-4.1 would be an update of OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which was released last year. On the list of upcoming models are GPT-4.1 and smaller versions like GPT-4.1 mini and nano, per the report. OpenAI has updated ChatGPT to use information from your previous conversations OpenAI started updating ChatGPT to enable the chatbot to remember previous conversations with a user and customize its responses based on that context. This feature is rolling out to ChatGPT Pro and Plus users first, excluding those in the U.K., EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. OpenAI is working on watermarks for images made with ChatGPT It looks like OpenAI is working on a watermarking feature for images generated using GPT-4o. AI researcher Tibor Blaho spotted a new “ImageGen” watermark feature in the new beta of ChatGPT’s Android app. Blaho also found mentions of other tools: “Structured Thoughts,” “Reasoning Recap,” “CoT Search Tool,” and “l1239dk1.” OpenAI offers ChatGPT Plus for free to U.S., Canadian college students OpenAI is offering its $20-per-month ChatGPT Plus subscription tier for free to all college students in the U.S. and Canada through the end of May. The offer will let millions of students use OpenAI’s premium service, which offers access to the company’s GPT-4o model, image generation, voice interaction, and research tools that are not available in the free version. ChatGPT users have generated over 700M images so far More than 130 million users have created over 700 million images since ChatGPT got the upgraded image generator on March 25, according to COO of OpenAI Brad Lightcap. The image generator was made available to all ChatGPT users on March 31, and went viral for being able to create Ghibli-style photos. OpenAI’s o3 model could cost more to run than initial estimate The Arc Prize Foundation, which develops the AI benchmark tool ARC-AGI, has updated the estimated computing costs for OpenAI’s o3 “reasoning” model managed by ARC-AGI. The organization originally estimated that the best-performing configuration of o3 it tested, o3 high, would cost approximately $3,000 to address a single problem. The Foundation now thinks the cost could be much higher, possibly around $30,000 per task. OpenAI CEO says capacity issues will cause product delays In a series of posts on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company’s new image-generation tool’s popularity may cause product releases to be delayed. “We are getting things under control, but you should expect new releases from OpenAI to be delayed, stuff to break, and for service to sometimes be slow as we deal with capacity challenges,” he wrote. March 2025 OpenAI plans to release a new ‘open’ AI language model OpeanAI intends to release its “first” open language model since GPT-2 “in the coming months.” The company plans to host developer events to gather feedback and eventually showcase prototypes of the model. The first developer event is to be held in San Francisco, with sessions to follow in Europe and Asia. OpenAI removes ChatGPT’s restrictions on image generation OpenAI made a notable change to its content moderation policies after the success of its new image generator in ChatGPT, which went viral for being able to create Studio Ghibli-style images. The company has updated its policies to allow ChatGPT to generate images of public figures, hateful symbols, and racial features when requested. OpenAI had previously declined such prompts due to the potential controversy or harm they may cause. However, the company has now “evolved” its approach, as stated in a blog post published by Joanne Jang, the lead for OpenAI’s model behavior. OpenAI adopts Anthropic’s standard for linking AI models with data OpenAI wants to incorporate Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) into all of its products, including the ChatGPT desktop app. MCP, an open-source standard, helps AI models generate more accurate and suitable responses to specific queries, and lets developers create bidirectional links between data sources and AI applications like chatbots. The protocol is currently available in the Agents SDK, and support for the ChatGPT desktop app and Responses API will be coming soon, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said. OpenAI’s viral Studio Ghibli-style images could raise AI copyright concerns The latest update of the image generator on OpenAI’s ChatGPT has triggered a flood of AI-generated memes in the style of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio behind blockbuster films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.” The burgeoning mass of Ghibli-esque images have sparked concerns about whether OpenAI has violated copyright laws, especially since the company is already facing legal action for using source material without authorization. OpenAI expects revenue to triple to $12.7 billion this year OpenAI expects its revenue to triple to $12.7 billion in 2025, fueled by the performance of its paid AI software, Bloomberg reported, citing an anonymous source. While the startup doesn’t expect to reach positive cash flow until 2029, it expects revenue to increase significantly in 2026 to surpass $29.4 billion, the report said. ChatGPT has upgraded its image-generation feature OpenAI on Tuesday rolled out a major upgrade to ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities: ChatGPT can now use the GPT-4o model to generate and edit images and photos directly. The feature went live earlier this week in ChatGPT and Sora, OpenAI’s AI video-generation tool, for subscribers of the company’s Pro plan, priced at $200 a month, and will be available soon to ChatGPT Plus subscribers and developers using the company’s API service. The company’s CEO Sam Altman said on Wednesday, however, that the release of the image generation feature to free users would be delayed due to higher demand than the company expected. OpenAI announces leadership updates Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s chief operating officer, will lead the company’s global expansion and manage corporate partnerships as CEO Sam Altman shifts his focus to research and products, according to a blog post from OpenAI. Lightcap, who previously worked with Altman at Y Combinator, joined the Microsoft-backed startup in 2018. OpenAI also said Mark Chen would step into the expanded role of chief research officer, and Julia Villagra will take on the role of chief people officer. OpenAI’s AI voice assistant now has advanced feature OpenAI has updated its AI voice assistant with improved chatting capabilities, according to a video posted on Monday (March 24) to the company’s official media channels. The update enables real-time conversations, and the AI assistant is said to be more personable and interrupts users less often. Users on ChatGPT’s free tier can now access the new version of Advanced Voice Mode, while paying users will receive answers that are “more direct, engaging, concise, specific, and creative,” a spokesperson from OpenAI told TechCrunch. OpenAI and Meta have separately engaged in discussions with Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries regarding potential collaborations to enhance their AI services in the country, per a report by The Information. One key topic being discussed is Reliance Jio distributing OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Reliance has proposed selling OpenAI’s models to businesses in India through an application programming interface (API) so they can incorporate AI into their operations. Meta also plans to bolster its presence in India by constructing a large 3GW data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. OpenAI, Meta, and Reliance have not yet officially announced these plans. OpenAI faces privacy complaint in Europe for chatbot’s defamatory hallucinations Noyb, a privacy rights advocacy group, is supporting an individual in Norway who was shocked to discover that ChatGPT was providing false information about him, stating that he had been found guilty of killing two of his children and trying to harm the third. “The GDPR is clear. Personal data has to be accurate,” said Joakim Söderberg, data protection lawyer at Noyb, in a statement. “If it’s not, users have the right to have it changed to reflect the truth. Showing ChatGPT users a tiny disclaimer that the chatbot can make mistakes clearly isn’t enough. You can’t just spread false information and in the end add a small disclaimer saying that everything you said may just not be true.” OpenAI upgrades its transcription and voice-generating AI models OpenAI has added new transcription and voice-generating AI models to its APIs: a text-to-speech model, “gpt-4o-mini-tts,” that delivers more nuanced and realistic sounding speech, as well as two speech-to-text models called “gpt-4o-transcribe” and “gpt-4o-mini-transcribe”. The company claims they are improved versions of what was already there and that they hallucinate less. OpenAI has launched o1-pro, a more powerful version of its o1 OpenAI has introduced o1-pro in its developer API. OpenAI says its o1-pro uses more computing than its o1 “reasoning” AI model to deliver “consistently better responses.” It’s only accessible to select developers who have spent at least $5 on OpenAI API services. OpenAI charges $150 for every million tokens (about 750,000 words) input into the model and $600 for every million tokens the model produces. It costs twice as much as OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 for input and 10 times the price of regular o1. Noam Brown, who heads AI reasoning research at OpenAI, thinks that certain types of AI models for “reasoning” could have been developed 20 years ago if researchers had understood the correct approach and algorithms. OpenAI says it has trained an AI that’s “really good” at creative writing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, in a post on X, that the company has trained a “new model” that’s “really good” at creative writing. He posted a lengthy sample from the model given the prompt “Please write a metafictional literary short story about AI and grief.” OpenAI has not extensively explored the use of AI for writing fiction. The company has mostly concentrated on challenges in rigid, predictable areas such as math and programming.might not be that great at creative writing at all. OpenAI rolled out new tools designed to help developers and businesses build AI agents — automated systems that can independently accomplish tasks — using the company’s own AI models and frameworks. The tools are part of OpenAI’s new Responses API, which enables enterprises to develop customized AI agents that can perform web searches, scan through company files, and navigate websites, similar to OpenAI’s Operator product. The Responses API effectively replaces OpenAI’s Assistants API, which the company plans to discontinue in the first half of 2026. OpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI ‘agents’ OpenAI intends to release several “agent” products tailored for different applications, including sorting and ranking sales leads and software engineering, according to a report from The Information. One, a “high-income knowledge worker” agent, will reportedly be priced at $2,000 a month. Another, a software developer agent, is said to cost $10,000 a month. The most expensive rumored agents, which are said to be aimed at supporting “PhD-level research,” are expected to cost $20,000 per month. The jaw-dropping figure is indicative of how much cash OpenAI needs right now: The company lost roughly $5 billion last year after paying for costs related to running its services and other expenses. It’s unclear when these agentic tools might launch or which customers will be eligible to buy them. ChatGPT can directly edit your code The latest version of the macOS ChatGPT app allows users to edit code directly in supported developer tools, including Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains. ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers can use the feature now, and the company plans to roll it out to more users like Enterprise, Edu, and free users. ChatGPT’s weekly active users doubled in less than 6 months, thanks to new releases According to a new report from VC firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), OpenAI’s AI chatbot, ChatGPT, experienced solid growth in the second half of 2024. It took ChatGPT nine months to increase its weekly active users from 100 million in November 2023 to 200 million in August 2024, but it only took less than six months to double that number once more, according to the report. ChatGPT’s weekly active users increased to 300 million by December 2024 and 400 million by February 2025. ChatGPT has experienced significant growth recently due to the launch of new models and features, such as GPT-4o, with multimodal capabilities. ChatGPT usage spiked from April to May 2024, shortly after that model’s launch. February 2025 OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release OpenAI has effectively canceled the release of o3 in favor of what CEO Sam Altman is calling a “simplified” product offering. In a post on X, Altman said that, in the coming months, OpenAI will release a model called GPT-5 that “integrates a lot of [OpenAI’s] technology,” including o3, in ChatGPT and its API. As a result of that roadmap decision, OpenAI no longer plans to release o3 as a standalone model.  ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed A commonly cited stat is that ChatGPT requires around 3 watt-hours of power to answer a single question. Using OpenAI’s latest default model for ChatGPT, GPT-4o, as a reference, nonprofit AI research institute Epoch AI found the average ChatGPT query consumes around 0.3 watt-hours. However, the analysis doesn’t consider the additional energy costs incurred by ChatGPT with features like image generation or input processing. OpenAI now reveals more of its o3-mini model’s thought process In response to pressure from rivals like DeepSeek, OpenAI is changing the way its o3-mini model communicates its step-by-step “thought” process. ChatGPT users will see an updated “chain of thought” that shows more of the model’s “reasoning” steps and how it arrived at answers to questions. You can now use ChatGPT web search without logging in OpenAI is now allowing anyone to use ChatGPT web search without having to log in. While OpenAI had previously allowed users to ask ChatGPT questions without signing in, responses were restricted to the chatbot’s last training update. This only applies through ChatGPT.com, however. To use ChatGPT in any form through the native mobile app, you will still need to be logged in. OpenAI unveils a new ChatGPT agent for ‘deep research’ OpenAI announced a new AI “agent” called deep research that’s designed to help people conduct in-depth, complex research using ChatGPT. OpenAI says the “agent” is intended for instances where you don’t just want a quick answer or summary, but instead need to assiduously consider information from multiple websites and other sources. January 2025 OpenAI used a subreddit to test AI persuasion OpenAI used the subreddit r/ChangeMyView to measure the persuasive abilities of its AI reasoning models. OpenAI says it collects user posts from the subreddit and asks its AI models to write replies, in a closed environment, that would change the Reddit user’s mind on a subject. The company then shows the responses to testers, who assess how persuasive the argument is, and finally OpenAI compares the AI models’ responses to human replies for that same post.  OpenAI launches o3-mini, its latest ‘reasoning’ model OpenAI launched a new AI “reasoning” model, o3-mini, the newest in the company’s o family of models. OpenAI first previewed the model in December alongside a more capable system called o3. OpenAI is pitching its new model as both “powerful” and “affordable.” ChatGPT’s mobile users are 85% male, report says A new report from app analytics firm Appfigures found that over half of ChatGPT’s mobile users are under age 25, with users between ages 50 and 64 making up the second largest age demographic. The gender gap among ChatGPT users is even more significant. Appfigures estimates that across age groups, men make up 84.5% of all users. OpenAI launches ChatGPT plan for US government agencies OpenAI launched ChatGPT Gov designed to provide U.S. government agencies an additional way to access the tech. ChatGPT Gov includes many of the capabilities found in OpenAI’s corporate-focused tier, ChatGPT Enterprise. OpenAI says that ChatGPT Gov enables agencies to more easily manage their own security, privacy, and compliance, and could expedite internal authorization of OpenAI’s tools for the handling of non-public sensitive data. More teens report using ChatGPT for schoolwork, despite the tech’s faults Younger Gen Zers are embracing ChatGPT, for schoolwork, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. In a follow-up to its 2023 poll on ChatGPT usage among young people, Pew asked ~1,400 U.S.-based teens ages 13 to 17 whether they’ve used ChatGPT for homework or other school-related assignments. Twenty-six percent said that they had, double the number two years ago. Just over half of teens responding to the poll said they think it’s acceptable to use ChatGPT for researching new subjects. But considering the ways ChatGPT can fall short, the results are possibly cause for alarm. OpenAI says it may store deleted Operator data for up to 90 days OpenAI says that it might store chats and associated screenshots from customers who use Operator, the company’s AI “agent” tool, for up to 90 days — even after a user manually deletes them. While OpenAI has a similar deleted data retention policy for ChatGPT, the retention period for ChatGPT is only 30 days, which is 60 days shorter than Operator’s. OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously OpenAI is launching a research preview of Operator, a general-purpose AI agent that can take control of a web browser and independently perform certain actions. Operator promises to automate tasks such as booking travel accommodations, making restaurant reservations, and shopping online. Operator, OpenAI’s agent tool, could be released sooner rather than later. Changes to ChatGPT’s code base suggest that Operator will be available as an early research preview to users on the $200 Pro subscription plan. The changes aren’t yet publicly visible, but a user on X who goes by Choi spotted these updates in ChatGPT’s client-side code. TechCrunch separately identified the same references to Operator on OpenAI’s website. OpenAI tests phone number-only ChatGPT signups OpenAI has begun testing a feature that lets new ChatGPT users sign up with only a phone number — no email required. The feature is currently in beta in the U.S. and India. However, users who create an account using their number can’t upgrade to one of OpenAI’s paid plans without verifying their account via an email. Multi-factor authentication also isn’t supported without a valid email. ChatGPT now lets you schedule reminders and recurring tasks ChatGPT’s new beta feature, called tasks, allows users to set simple reminders. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to remind you when your passport expires in six months, and the AI assistant will follow up with a push notification on whatever platform you have tasks enabled. The feature will start rolling out to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users around the globe this week. New ChatGPT feature lets users assign it traits like ‘chatty’ and ‘Gen Z’ OpenAI is introducing a new way for users to customize their interactions with ChatGPT. Some users found they can specify a preferred name or nickname and “traits” they’d like the chatbot to have. OpenAI suggests traits like “Chatty,” “Encouraging,” and “Gen Z.” However, some users reported that the new options have disappeared, so it’s possible they went live prematurely. FAQs: What is ChatGPT? How does it work? ChatGPT is a general-purpose chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to generate text after a user enters a prompt, developed by tech startup OpenAI. The chatbot uses GPT-4, a large language model that uses deep learning to produce human-like text. When did ChatGPT get released? November 30, 2022 is when ChatGPT was released for public use. What is the latest version of ChatGPT? Both the free version of ChatGPT and the paid ChatGPT Plus are regularly updated with new GPT models. The most recent model is GPT-4o. Can I use ChatGPT for free? There is a free version of ChatGPT that only requires a sign-in in addition to the paid version, ChatGPT Plus. Who uses ChatGPT? Anyone can use ChatGPT! More and more tech companies and search engines are utilizing the chatbot to automate text or quickly answer user questions/concerns. What companies use ChatGPT? Multiple enterprises utilize ChatGPT, although others may limit the use of the AI-powered tool. Most recently, Microsoft announced at its 2023 Build conference that it is integrating its ChatGPT-based Bing experience into Windows 11. A Brooklyn-based 3D display startup Looking Glass utilizes ChatGPT to produce holograms you can communicate with by using ChatGPT.  And nonprofit organization Solana officially integrated the chatbot into its network with a ChatGPT plug-in geared toward end users to help onboard into the web3 space. What does GPT mean in ChatGPT? GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. What is the difference between ChatGPT and a chatbot? A chatbot can be any software/system that holds dialogue with you/a person but doesn’t necessarily have to be AI-powered. For example, there are chatbots that are rules-based in the sense that they’ll give canned responses to questions. ChatGPT is AI-powered and utilizes LLM technology to generate text after a prompt. Can ChatGPT write essays? Yes. Can ChatGPT commit libel? Due to the nature of how these models work, they don’t know or care whether something is true, only that it looks true. That’s a problem when you’re using it to do your homework, sure, but when it accuses you of a crime you didn’t commit, that may well at this point be libel. We will see how handling troubling statements produced by ChatGPT will play out over the next few months as tech and legal experts attempt to tackle the fastest moving target in the industry. Does ChatGPT have an app? Yes, there is a free ChatGPT mobile app for iOS and Android users. What is the ChatGPT character limit? It’s not documented anywhere that ChatGPT has a character limit. However, users have noted that there are some character limitations after around 500 words. Does ChatGPT have an API? Yes, it was released March 1, 2023. What are some sample everyday uses for ChatGPT? Everyday examples include programming, scripts, email replies, listicles, blog ideas, summarization, etc. What are some advanced uses for ChatGPT? Advanced use examples include debugging code, programming languages, scientific concepts, complex problem solving, etc. How good is ChatGPT at writing code? It depends on the nature of the program. While ChatGPT can write workable Python code, it can’t necessarily program an entire app’s worth of code. That’s because ChatGPT lacks context awareness — in other words, the generated code isn’t always appropriate for the specific context in which it’s being used. Can you save a ChatGPT chat? Yes. OpenAI allows users to save chats in the ChatGPT interface, stored in the sidebar of the screen. There are no built-in sharing features yet. Are there alternatives to ChatGPT? Yes. There are multiple AI-powered chatbot competitors such as Together, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude, and developers are creating open source alternatives. How does ChatGPT handle data privacy? OpenAI has said that individuals in “certain jurisdictions” (such as the EU) can object to the processing of their personal information by its AI models by filling out this form. This includes the ability to make requests for deletion of AI-generated references about you. Although OpenAI notes it may not grant every request since it must balance privacy requests against freedom of expression “in accordance with applicable laws”. The web form for making a deletion of data about you request is entitled “OpenAI Personal Data Removal Request”. In its privacy policy, the ChatGPT maker makes a passing acknowledgement of the objection requirements attached to relying on “legitimate interest” (LI), pointing users towards more information about requesting an opt out — when it writes: “See here for instructions on how you can opt out of our use of your information to train our models.” What controversies have surrounded ChatGPT? Recently, Discord announced that it had integrated OpenAI’s technology into its bot named Clyde where two users tricked Clyde into providing them with instructions for making the illegal drug methamphetamine (meth) and the incendiary mixture napalm. An Australian mayor has publicly announced he may sue OpenAI for defamation due to ChatGPT’s false claims that he had served time in prison for bribery. This would be the first defamation lawsuit against the text-generating service. CNET found itself in the midst of controversy after Futurism reported the publication was publishing articles under a mysterious byline completely generated by AI. The private equity company that owns CNET, Red Ventures, was accused of using ChatGPT for SEO farming, even if the information was incorrect. Several major school systems and colleges, including New York City Public Schools, have banned ChatGPT from their networks and devices. They claim that the AI impedes the learning process by promoting plagiarism and misinformation, a claim that not every educator agrees with. There have also been cases of ChatGPT accusing individuals of false crimes. Where can I find examples of ChatGPT prompts? Several marketplaces host and provide ChatGPT prompts, either for free or for a nominal fee. One is PromptBase. Another is ChatX. More launch every day. Can ChatGPT be detected? Poorly. Several tools claim to detect ChatGPT-generated text, but in our tests, they’re inconsistent at best. Are ChatGPT chats public? No. But OpenAI recently disclosed a bug, since fixed, that exposed the titles of some users’ conversations to other people on the service. What lawsuits are there surrounding ChatGPT? None specifically targeting ChatGPT. But OpenAI is involved in at least one lawsuit that has implications for AI systems trained on publicly available data, which would touch on ChatGPT. Are there issues regarding plagiarism with ChatGPT? Yes. Text-generating AI models like ChatGPT have a tendency to regurgitate content from their training data.

As autonomous AI agents move from theory into implementation, their impact on the financial services sector is becoming tangible. A recent whitepaper from IBM Consulting, titled “Agentic AI in Financial Services: Opportunities, Risks, and Responsible Implementation”, outlines how these AI systems—designed for autonomous decision-making and long-term planning—can fundamentally reshape how financial institutions operate. The paper presents a balanced framework that identifies where Agentic AI can add value, the risks it introduces, and how institutions can implement these systems responsibly. Understanding Agentic AI AI agents, in this context, are software entities that interact with their environments to accomplish tasks with a high degree of autonomy. Unlike traditional automation or even LLM-powered chatbots, Agentic AI incorporates planning, memory, and reasoning to execute dynamic tasks across systems. IBM categorizes them into Principal, Service, and Task agents, which collaborate in orchestrated systems. These systems enable the agents to autonomously process information, select tools, and interact with human users or enterprise systems in a closed loop of goal pursuit and reflection. The whitepaper describes the evolution from rule-based automation to multi-agent orchestration, emphasizing how LLMs now serve as the reasoning engine that drives agent behavior in real-time. Crucially, these agents can adapt to evolving conditions and handle complex, cross-domain tasks, making them ideal for the intricacies of financial services. Key Opportunities in Finance IBM identifies three primary use case patterns where Agentic AI can unlock significant value: Customer Engagement & Personalization Agents can streamline onboarding, personalize services through real-time behavioral data, and drive KYC/AML processes using tiered agent hierarchies that reduce manual oversight.Operational Excellence & Governance Agents improve internal efficiencies by automating risk management, compliance verification, and anomaly detection, while maintaining auditability and traceability.Technology & Software Development They support IT teams with automated testing, predictive maintenance, and infrastructure optimization—redefining DevOps through dynamic, self-improving workflows. These systems promise to replace fragmented interfaces and human handoffs with integrated, persona-driven agent experiences grounded in high-quality, governed data products. Risk Landscape and Mitigation Strategies Autonomy in AI brings unique risks. The IBM paper categorizes them under the system’s core components—goal misalignment, tool misuse, and dynamic deception being among the most critical. For instance, a wealth management agent might misinterpret a client’s risk appetite due to goal drift, or bypass controls by chaining permissible actions in unintended ways. Key mitigation strategies include: Goal Guardrails: Explicitly defined objectives, real-time monitoring, and value alignment feedback loops. Access Controls: Least-privilege design for tool/API access, combined with dynamic rate-limiting and auditing. Persona Calibration: Regularly reviewing agents’ behavior to avoid biased or unethical actions. The whitepaper also emphasizes agent persistence and system drift as long-term governance challenges. Persistent memory, while enabling learning, can cause agents to act on outdated assumptions. IBM proposes memory reset protocols and periodic recalibrations to counteract drift and ensure continued alignment with organizational values. Regulatory Readiness and Ethical Design IBM outlines regulatory developments in jurisdictions like the EU and Australia, where agentic systems are increasingly considered “high-risk.” These systems must comply with emerging mandates for transparency, explainability, and continuous human oversight. In the EU’s AI Act, for example, agents influencing access to financial services may fall under stricter obligations due to their autonomous and adaptive behavior. The paper recommends proactive alignment with ethical AI principles even in the absence of regulation—asking not just can we, but should we. This includes auditing agents for deceptive behavior, embedding human-in-the-loop structures, and maintaining transparency through natural language decision narratives and visualized reasoning paths. Conclusion Agentic AI stands at the frontier of enterprise automation. For financial services firms, the promise lies in enhanced personalization, operational agility, and AI-driven governance. Yet these benefits are closely linked to how responsibly these systems are designed and deployed. IBM’s whitepaper serves as a practical guide—advocating for a phased, risk-aware adoption strategy that includes governance frameworks, codified controls, and cross-functional accountability. Check out the White Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also, feel free to follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to join our 95k+ ML SubReddit. Mohammad AsjadAsjad is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is persuing B.Tech in mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. 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