The European Union Agency for Cybersecurityhas debuted a European Union Vulnerability Databaseto provide “aggregated, reliable and actionable” information on newly disclosed cyber security vulnerabilities in IT products and services. The EUVD, which is mandated by the NIS2 Directive, is designed to gather publicly available information from sources such as EU member state national computer security incident response teams, industry threat researchers, and other vulnerability databases, including Mitre’s CVE Program. Enisa said that to meet this goal, it has constructed its platform on a holistic approach as an interconnected database that it believes will allow for better analysis and help the community correlate vulnerabilities. It said this would ultimately make it a more trustworthy, transparent and broader information source. “The EU Vulnerability Database is a major step towards reinforcing Europe’s security and resilience,” said Henna Virkkunen, European Commission executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. “By bringing together vulnerability information relevant to the EU market, we are raising cyber security standards, enabling both private and public sector stakeholders to better protect our shared digital spaces with greater efficiency and autonomy.” Enisa executive director Juhan Lepassaar added: “Enisa achieves a milestone with the implementation of the vulnerability database requirement from the NIS2 Directive. The EU is now equipped with an essential tool designed to substantially improve the management of vulnerabilities and the risks associated with them. “The database ensures transparency to all users of the affected ICT products and services and will stand as an efficient source of information to find mitigation measures.” The launch of the EUVD comes mere weeks after the security community was rocked by the near-death experience of Mitre’s long-running CVE Program, a US government-backed and -funded resource that over the past two decades has become a fixture in the security world. Although Mitre’s funding was, in the end, restored at the last minute by the US authorities, the 24 hours of uncertainty prompted much soul-searching and many cyber professionals have begun to consider or discuss the idea of alternatives to a programme that is ultimately backed by a single government. Although EUVD is not designed to replace the US programme, Enisa said it had worked with Mitre on its development, and continues to work alongside the non-profit body to understand the impact of the funding crisis on the EUVD project. For now, data on common vulnerabilities and exposures, data provided by those disclosing vulnerabilities, and other sources such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’sKnown Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue will be automatically transposed into EUVD with support from EU member state CSIRTs. For example, CVE-2025-32709, a privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock – disclosed this week on Patch Tuesday – appears in the EUVD with the designation EUVD-2025-14439. Sylvain Cortes, strategy vice-president at Hackuity, said: “Enisa’s new EUVD is a good initiative when you consider the recent funding issues around Mitre’s CVE Program. “There’s also still some uncertainty around whether the Mitre database will continue to exist after the new contract expires in 10 months’ time, so having a European option in place means the industry can be less reliant on one vulnerability enrichment source. It’s an even greater alternative when you consider the fact that the NVD has suffered backlogs in the past. “Ultimately, we need a source for all vulnerabilities that is reliable and open, and we hope that the new EUVD promises will provide this,” said Cortes. Crystal Morin, cyber security strategist at Sysdig, also welcomed the launch as part of the ongoing effort to strengthen global cyber security amid an uncertain future. She said she hoped the EUVD would complement the CVE Program. “Having both in play means more organisations handling CVE requests and, ultimately, faster public disclosure,” she said. “For security teams, the EUVD is simply another trusted source for vulnerability intelligence. As long as vulnerability submissions are streamlined – only submitted to one programme – we avoid duplication and confusion, and gain speed and resilience.” about vulnerability disclosure practice The US National Institute of Standards and Technology is deferring future updates to thousands of cyber vulnerabilities discovered prior to 2018 amid surging volumes of new submissions. Many trends, notably a big shift to open source tools, are behind an expected boom in the number of disclosed vulnerabilities in 2025. New benchmarking data can help security practitioners identify gaps in healthcare vulnerability management and make the case for a proactive versus reactive approach to managing vulnerabilities. #enisa #launches #european #vulnerability #database

Electronic music icon Don Diablo is known for pushing the boundaries of music, visual arts and live performance — and the music video for his latest single, “BLACKOUT,” explores using generative AI, combining NVIDIA RTX-powered and cloud-based tools in a hybrid workflow. Set inside an industrial warehouse, the video features Diablo performing in front of an immersive, AI-generated environment — blending stylized effects, a cinematic mood and personalized elements. The image creation and experimentation was done locally on a desktop powered by a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, while the final animation was rendered using Kling AI, a cloud-based generative video tool. This hybrid approach gave the team creative control and high-fidelity results. CTRL + ALT + Create With RTX All image-based work in the music video — including stylization and identity modeling — was performed locally using ComfyUI, a visual, node-based interface for building and customizing generative AI workflows. With minimal setup, the team could launch preconfigured workflows and experiment freely with different models and techniques. ComfyUI offered speed, ease of use and support for a wide range of open-source tools — enabling fast iteration and distinctive visuals that aligned with Diablo’s creative direction. Diablo wanted the visuals to reflect his identity — not just serve as decor. To achieve this, a custom model was trained on a facial dataset of Diablo, using low-rank adaptation in the FLUXGYM user interface. The resulting model was then loaded into ComfyUI and integrated into a Stable Diffusion pipeline for stylized image generation. An identity-embedding node ensured consistent facial features across frames, as well as stylistic cohesion. Once the imagery was locked, the team turned to Kling AI in the cloud to animate the visuals into dynamic scenes, harnessing the tool’s advanced physics and cinematic capabilities. This workflow, all running locally on an RTX 5090 GPU, enabled faster iteration, precise visual control, tighter feedback loops and full creative autonomy. It showcases how creators can use local RTX-powered tools — as well as cloud-based platforms for pre-defined workloads that require more compute — to quickly and easily produce high-impact content on their terms. “Working with these new AI tools literally feels like stepping into my own mind,” said Diablo. “We were able to creatively raise the bar, shape the visuals in real time and stay focused on the story. AI is a powerful tool for creativity.” Creative Workflows, Powered by RTX AI Watch the full “BLACKOUT” music video to see how the team brought their creative ideas to life with RTX AI. Artists and developers are already using generative AI to streamline their work and push creative boundaries, whether exploring concepts, designing virtual worlds or building intelligent apps. With RTX AI PCs, users can access the latest and greatest models and tools, as well as powerful AI performance. Learn more about the NVIDIA Studio platform and RTX AI PCs. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations. Plug in to NVIDIA AI PC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X — and stay informed by subscribing to the RTX AI PC newsletter. Follow NVIDIA Workstation on LinkedIn and X. #press #play #don #diablos #music

House Republicans have proposed banning states from regulating AI for the next ten years. The sweeping moratorium, quietly tucked into the Budget Reconciliation Bill last Sunday, would block most state and local governments from enforcing AI regulations until 2035 if passed. The proposed legislation stated that “no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems,” for 10 years. Industry experts warn that this potential regulatory vacuum would come precisely when AI systems are becoming more powerful and pervasive across the US society. Oversight gap raises concerns The moratorium would create an unprecedented situation: rapidly evolving AI technology would operate without state-level guardrails during what may be its most transformative decade. “The proposed decade-long moratorium on state-level AI regulations presents a double-edged sword,” said Abhivyakti Sengar, practice director at Everest Group. “On one hand, it aims to prevent a fragmented regulatory environment that could stifle innovation, on the other hand, it risks creating a regulatory vacuum, leaving critical decisions about AI governance in the hands of private entities without sufficient oversight.” The proposed legislation includes specific exceptions. According to the bill text, states would still be allowed to enforce laws that have “the primary purpose and effect of which is to remove legal impediments to, or facilitate the deployment or operation of, an artificial intelligence model, artificial intelligence system, or automated decision system.” States could also enforce laws that streamline “licensing, permitting, routing, zoning, procurement, or reporting procedures” for AI systems. However, the bill explicitly prohibits states from imposing “any substantive design, performance, data-handling, documentation, civil liability, taxation, fee, or other requirement” specifically on AI unless such requirements are applied equally to non-AI systems with similar functions. This limitation would prevent states from creating AI-specific oversight frameworks that address the technology’s unique capabilities and risks. State AI regulations threatened If enacted, the impact could be significant. Several states have been developing AI oversight frameworks that would likely become unenforceable under the federal provision. Various state-level efforts to regulate AI systems — from algorithmic transparency requirements to data privacy protections for AI training — could be effectively neutralized without public debate or input. The moratorium particularly threatens state data privacy protections. Without these state laws, consumers have few guarantees regarding how AI systems use their data, obtain consent, or make decisions affecting their lives. Global standards diverge The US approach now stands in stark contrast to the European Union’s comprehensive AI Act, which imposes strict requirements on high-risk AI systems. “As the US diverges from the EU’s stringent AI regulatory framework, multinational enterprises may face the challenge of navigating conflicting standards,” Sengar noted. This divergence potentially leads to “increased compliance costs and operational complexities.” Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research, sees a splintering global AI landscape ahead. “America’s moratorium will likely deepen the regulatory divergence with Europe,” said Gogia. “This will accelerate the fragmentation of global AI product design, where use-case eligibility and ethical thresholds vary dramatically by geography.” Enterprises face a new reality For businesses, the regulatory clarity comes with difficult strategic decisions. Companies must determine how aggressively to implement AI systems during this regulation-free decade. Many large companies aren’t waiting for government guidance. “Even before public oversight being put on hold, large enterprises have already launched internal AI governance councils,” Gogia explained. “These internal regimes — led by CISOs, legal, and risk teams — are becoming the primary referees for responsible AI use.” But Gogia cautioned against over-reliance on self-regulation: “While these structures are necessary, they are not a long-term substitute for statutory accountability.” Legal uncertainty remains Despite the moratorium on regulations, experts warn that companies still face significant liability risks. “The absence of clear legal guidelines could result in heightened legal uncertainty, as courts grapple with AI-related disputes without established precedents,” said Sengar. Gogia puts it more bluntly: “Even in a regulatory freeze, enterprises remain legally accountable. I believe the lack of specific laws does not eliminate legal exposure — it merely shifts the battleground from compliance desks to courtrooms.” While restricting state action, the legislation simultaneously expands the federal government’s AI footprint. The bill allocates million to the Department of Commerce for AI modernization through 2035. The money targets legacy system replacement, operational efficiency improvements, and cybersecurity enhancements using AI technologies. This dual approach positions the federal government as both the primary AI regulator and a major AI customer, consolidating tremendous influence over the technology’s direction. Finding balance Industry observers emphasize the need for thoughtful governance despite the moratorium. “In this rapidly evolving landscape, a balanced approach that fosters innovation while ensuring accountability and public trust is paramount,” Sengar noted. Gogia offers a succinct assessment of the situation: “The 10-year moratorium on US state and local AI regulation removes complexity but not risk. I believe innovation does need room, but room without direction risks misalignment between corporate ethics and public interest.” #congress #proposes #10year #ban #state

Upgrading your office isn’t just about technology or aesthetics—it’s about creating a workspace that inspires productivity, keeps you organized, and helps you tackle every challenge with confidence. The right desk supplies can transform your daily routine, streamline your workflow, and even spark creativity. Whether you’re working from home, heading into a busy office, or managing a hybrid setup, these five cutting-edge accessories are designed to elevate your workspace to new heights. Have a look at the top desk supplies you need for an instant upgrade in May 2025. Investing in these top desk supplies will boost your productivity and also make your workspace a place you truly enjoy spending time. These upgrades will help you embrace the future of work—efficient, organized, and inspiring. Make May 2025 the month you transform your desk and elevate your daily routine. 1. Thunderboost eGPU Dock Imagine never having to choose between portability and power again. The Thunderboost eGPU Dock is a true game-changer for anyone who wants the flexibility of a laptop but the raw muscle of a high-end desktop. With this compact device, your ultrabook can suddenly handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering, AI model training, 8K video editing, and gaming—all thanks to the NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU packed inside. This isn’t just about raw specs. The ThunderBoost eGPU Dock represents a major leap for professionals and creatives who often find their slim laptops struggling under heavy workloads. Plugging in this eGPU instantly transforms your setup: Blender renders finish in a fraction of the time, AI workflows become local and secure, and gaming or VR experiences are smooth and immersive. It’s a solution that makes your workspace more versatile and future-ready, letting you tackle whatever the workday throws your way, whether you’re at your desk or on the road. What we like Instantly upgrades your laptop’s performance for demanding professional or creative tasks. Lightweight and compact, it fits easily in a bag for power on the go. What we dislike Only compatible with devices that have the latest Thunderbolt port, which may limit use with older laptops. To unlock its full potential, you’ll need to keep it plugged in, which can add cable clutter to your workspace. 2. DockOrb Cables, dongles, and missing adapters can turn even the neatest desk into a frustrating mess. The DockOrb 12-in-1 Dock + Qi2 Wireless Charger is designed to solve all your connectivity and charging woes in one sleek, compact package. This multifunctional hub keeps your devices powered and connected, and brings a sense of order and sophistication to your workspace. The DockOrb offers a magnetic Qi2 wireless charger right up front, making it incredibly easy to power up your smartphone—just drop it on the dock and let the high-speed 15W charging do its thing. No more fumbling for cables or worrying about alignment; the magnetic interface ensures your device is always charging at its fastest. But that’s just the beginning. Flip the DockOrb around, and you’ll find an impressive array of eleven more ports: dual HDMI outputs for multi-monitor setups, fast USB-C and USB-A connections, Ethernet, SD and microSD slots, and more. It’s perfect for those who juggle between laptops, tablets, and other peripherals or who need to quickly set up an expanded workstation. Click Here to Buy Now:  . Hurry, only 81/200 left! What we like Offers twelve essential functions, reducing cable clutter and streamlining your setup. Qi2 magnetic charger delivers quick, reliable power for your devices. What we dislike Not all smartphones support the latest wireless charging standard, so older models may not benefit. The dock’s footprint, while compact, still takes up space that may be a concern for very small or minimalist desks. 3. UnifyDrive UP6 Data management is at the heart of the modern workday, whether you’re editing high-res videos, managing research files, or simply backing up precious photos. The UnifyDrive UP6 Portable NAS reimagines storage solutions by letting you carry your own secure “cloud” wherever you go—no internet connection or remote servers required. What sets the UP6 apart is its blend of portability and robust performance. This device isn’t just a hard drive; it’s a compact NASsystem with a built-in touchscreen, battery, and wireless connectivity. With room for up to six SSDs, it lets you access, transfer, and manage your files on the fly. The touchscreen interface means you can browse or even preview files directly, without needing another computer. Bluetooth support adds further flexibility, allowing direct transfer from phones and cameras. What we like Holds up to 48TB and offers quick access via cable or wireless—ideal for large media libraries. Built-in screen lets you manage files directly, even without another device. What we dislike Filling the device with high-capacity drives can be expensive, especially for personal users. The built-in battery is useful, but may require frequent recharging during heavy use on the go. 4. Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition A desk isn’t just a place to work—it’s a reflection of your personality, creativity, and aspirations. The Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition stands out as a functional work of art, giving your workspace a futuristic, inspiring focal point. More than just a tool for writing, this pen is a conversation starter, a stress reliever, and a tangible reminder of the wonders that exist beyond our daily routines. What makes this pen extraordinary is its gravity-defying design. Suspended at an elegant 23.5-degree angle, it appears to float in mid-air, inviting you to reach out, give it a spin, and let your mind wander. Its aerospace-grade aluminum body is both durable and luxurious, while the genuine Muonionalusta meteorite embedded in the tip connects you to a piece of cosmic history, older than Earth itself. The pen’s magnetic cap and premium German ink cartridge ensure a smooth, satisfying writing experience every time. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like The floating design and meteorite tip make it an eye-catching centerpiece and conversation piece. High-quality materials and ink offer comfort and smooth performance. What we dislike The craftsmanship and materials mean it’s an investment compared to basic pens. Its levitating mechanism requires a steady surface, and the pen should be handled carefully to maintain its effect. 5. Grovemade Matte Studio Pad A cluttered desk is the enemy of productivity, but staying organized shouldn’t mean sacrificing style. The Grovemade Matte Studio Pad redefines what a desk pad can be—combining thoughtful organization, a pleasing tactile experience, and a modern aesthetic that instantly polishes any workspace. This is much more than just a surface to place your laptop. The Studio Pad’s smooth, matte surface feels inviting and resists fingerprints, keeping your space looking crisp and fresh even after hours of use. Underneath, a brushed aluminum chassis anchors the pad firmly, while a natural cork layer protects both the pad and your desk from scratches. A full-length hardwood tray provides a designated spot for pens, styluses, or other essentials, helping you keep everything in its place. The result is a workspace that feels orderly and inspiring every time you sit down. What we like Built-in tray and layered design keep your essentials tidy and accessible. The combination of aluminum, cork, and hardwood adds durability and a sophisticated look. What we dislike May not fit smaller desks, so measure your workspace before purchasing. High-quality materials come at a higher cost than standard desk pads. The post Top 5 Desk Supplies That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Office & Workflow first appeared on Yanko Design. #top #desk #supplies #that #will

Roblox Corporation, a global platform for immersive user-generated content, has introduced Cube 3D, a foundational generative AI model for creating 3D digital content from text prompts. The company has made a version of the model open-source, now accessible via GitHub and HuggingFace. The beta version, which integrates into Roblox Studio and its Lua-based API, enables creators to produce 3D meshes directly within game environments using natural language input. Unlike image-based reconstruction methods that rely on limited visual data, Cube 3D is trained on native 3D assets generated and used across Roblox’s ecosystem. This allows it to output structurally complete digital objects compatible with game engines—objects that can be interacted with in gameplay, rather than being flat facades. A typical use case involves entering a command like “generate a motorcycle” into the platform’s Assistant, resulting in a full 3D mesh suitable for immediate in-game deployment. These objects can later be enhanced with texture and color but are generated as functionally usable meshes from the outset. Cube 3D applies a token-based system to understand and predict 3D shapes. Drawing from techniques used in large language models, the AI converts geometry into shape tokens and uses autoregressive transformers to forecast subsequent tokens in a sequence—effectively “building” a mesh piece by piece. This method supports both individual object completion and full scene layout generation. To align multimodal inputs, Roblox engineers developed a unified transformer architecture compatible with text, image, and future data types such as audio. The current release focuses on object generation from text, but future updates are expected to support scene-level outputs and hybrid input modalities. Roblox has positioned the software as part of a broader shift toward real-time, user-augmented content creation. Players and developers alike will be able to generate props, environments, or interactive objects on demand. The longer-term aim is “4D creation,” where AI understands not only object form but also interaction logic and environmental relationships. This includes bounding box placement for layout, mesh fusion for multi-object environments, and context-aware alterations—such as swapping seasonal elements or adapting geometry based on narrative triggers within a game. Prompt: A red buggy with knobby tires. Image via Roblox. While Cube 3D does not currently support 3D printing file formats such as STL, the underlying methodology of tokenizing 3D shapes may influence emerging tools in virtual prototyping, AI-assisted design, and even CAD automation. Open-source release of this nature remains rare among proprietary game development platforms, particularly those dealing with native 3D asset pipelines. Roblox has also co-founded ROOST, a nonprofit focused on open-source AI safety, and recently released other models tied to responsible AI development.  Emerging AI-generated 3D modeling Tencent, a Chinese multinational technology company with significant investments in gaming and cloud services, released Hunyuan3D 2.0 to streamline digital asset creation. The system features two specialized models—Hunyuan3D-DiT for geometry and Hunyuan3D-Paint for texture—designed to improve fidelity and responsiveness in 3D generation. Internal benchmarks using Condition-Model Matching Distance (CMMD) and Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) suggest higher alignment between user prompts and resulting outputs. A companion interface, Hunyuan3D-Studio, enables sketch-to-3D workflows and low-polygon mesh export. While Tencent has not formally targeted additive manufacturing, the platform’s ability to generate both high-resolution and simplified meshes may support adaptation in prototyping and multi-material 3D printing environments. A year earlier, Nvidia, a leading developer of GPUs and parallel computing platforms widely used in AI and visualization, introduced Magic3D in 2023 as part of its generative AI research. The tool produces textured 3D meshes from natural language using a two-stage pipeline that refines coarse models into high-resolution geometry. Demonstrations—such as rendering a blue poison dart frog from a single prompt—illustrated the system’s capacity for mesh synthesis, text-driven editing, and stylistic transformation. Although primarily geared toward video games and computer-generated imagery, Nvidia researchers identified potential crossover applications in VR development and special effects, noting that streamlined model generation could lower production barriers across digital design domains. Hunyuan3D 2.0. Image via Tencent. Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image showcase Prompt: A red buggy with knobby tires. Image via Roblox. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology. Source: https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/roblox-open-sources-cube-3d-model-for-ai-driven-3d-object-generation-239504/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roblox-open-sources-cube-3d-model-for-ai-driven-3d-object-generation #roblox #opensources #cube #model #for #aidriven #object #generation

Natural disasters—from tornadoes across the South and Midwest, to the fires in Los Angeles to Hurricane Helene’s devastation in North Carolina—have upended communities, with small businesses among the hardest hit. As extreme weather events become more frequent, these businesses have emerged as vital anchors of community recovery. While urban enterprises navigate complex rebuilding amid dense infrastructure, rural businesses face distinct challenges in disaster response. Yet across geographies, small businesses play a critical role in stabilizing and revitalizing their communities after catastrophe. Rural small businesses, in particular, serve a dual role: They’re not just economic drivers but also informal safety nets, stepping in to rebuild communities long before larger relief efforts arrive and continuing their work well after national attention fades. The resilience of these businesses—and the communities they support—is being tested like never before. Systemic barriers, most notably access to capital, exacerbate their struggles, threatening their survival and the economic stability of their regions. The first responders of local economies When Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, it left behind destroyed homes and displaced families, in many cases causing severe damage to already distressed and underfunded communities. Small businesses were among the first to join the front lines, providing critical supplies and services. Across impacted zones, local service providers pivoted quickly, transforming their operations into vital relief centers. Neighborhood establishments became distribution hubs while entrepreneurs converted storefronts into community aid stations. This grassroots network of support reached residents in critical early days, delivering essential resources before larger relief efforts could fully mobilize. While these actions highlight the essential role of small businesses in post-disaster recovery, they also reveal a stark reality: These businesses cannot, and should not, shoulder the burden of recovery alone. As they pour resources into helping their communities, they face significant hurdles in rebuilding their own operations—a challenge compounded by systemic imbalances in capital access. Rural businesses face a persistent capital deficit, leaving them uniquely vulnerable to the compounding effects of natural disasters. In Appalachia, where 99% of businesses are classified as small, the unmet capital needs amount to an estimated $70 billion annually—a gap the Appalachian Regional Commission defines as aggregate capital demand significantly outweighing aggregate capital supply. While rural small businesses rely heavily on local financial institutions—61% obtain financing from small banks compared to 39% of urban enterprises—these lenders often lack sufficient capital to meet emergency needs. Meanwhile, larger financial institutions hesitate to extend loans to rural businesses due to perceived risks, unfamiliarity with their business models, and concerns about profitability in less densely populated markets. This structural financing gap creates a dangerous cycle: Chronic underinvestment limits both disaster recovery capabilities and long-term resilience building. As a result, the very businesses that anchor rural communities—providing essential services, employment, and community gathering spaces—remain the most financially vulnerable when disasters strike. A call for collaboration Philanthropy has made strides in addressing these challenges, but lasting solutions require collaboration across sectors. Natural disasters expose deep gaps in how we support small businesses in America’s heartland. Public, private, and philanthropic partners like those below are working together to create financing models that attract new capital for growth and resilience.   Public-sector innovation Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) play a critical role in bridging the capital gap by offering tailored financing solutions focused on quality job creation, housing affordability, and economic mobility. For example, the government’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund created a Rapid Response Program that deployed $1.25 billion to crisis-impacted communities post-Helene. This model of emergency support, combined with streamlined disaster recovery systems, shows how federal resources can effectively reach businesses when they need it most. However, shifting federal priorities and budget considerations could significantly impact these programs in coming years. With potential changes in funding allocations and regulatory frameworks on the horizon, rural communities may need to develop more diversified support systems that blend public resources with private and philanthropic capital. Strengthening these alternative funding mechanisms will be critical to ensure consistent disaster response capabilities regardless of policy fluctuations. Private-sector leadership Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund exemplifies how private enterprise can drive recovery. Launched in 2020 initially as a pandemic response, this $420 million initiative didn’t just provide capital—it created a sustainable network of support through CDFIs and nonprofit organizations, helping thousands of business owners recover, rebuild, and grow. This strategic approach has helped small businesses maintain approximately 255,000 jobs nationwide while building longer-term resilience. The fund’s focus on both immediate financial needs and capacity building offers valuable lessons for disaster recovery efforts in vulnerable regions like Appalachia, where similar public-private partnerships could help bridge persistent capital gaps while strengthening business continuity planning. Philanthropic impact Collaborative funding models are proving effective in addressing capital gaps in underserved regions. By bringing together numerous stakeholders, these partnerships help build sustainable support systems that can better withstand economic and environmental challenges. One example is the Emerging Appalachian Investors Fund, a $5 million initiative that empowers students at Marshall University, West Virginia University, and Ohio University to help manage real investments in local businesses and community development projects.   This hands-on model not only enhances financial infrastructure but also fosters long-term resilience in communities that are particularly vulnerable during times of crisis. By combining immediate support with strategic investment, such approaches ensure that local enterprises have the resources they need to recover—and grow. While some collaborative models focus on long-term investment and resilience, others are designed for rapid response in times of crisis. In response to the Los Angeles fires, philanthropic groups stepped up with unique approaches that could be replicated in rural communities. The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, led by the J. Getty Trust and administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation, provides emergency support for artists and art workers in all disciplines affected by the fires. A pooled fund of $12 million, launched on January 15, 2025, was made possible through contributions from dozens of foundations and individuals. Complementing these efforts, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation Emergency Wildfire Fund equips local firefighters with tools and safety equipment to safeguard both lives and businesses. The stakes extend beyond individual businesses to the heart of community survival. When small businesses have access to capital, they create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build community resilience. The Appalachian region’s entrepreneurial spirit—reflected in more than 305,000 new business applications in 2021—highlights the potential waiting to be unlocked.   By implementing comprehensive financing solutions that bridge these capital gaps today, we can ensure rural businesses not only survive disasters but emerge stronger, ready to serve their communities for generations to come. Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91332920/what-natural-disasters-reveal-about-the-resilience-of-rural-small-businesses #what #natural #disasters #reveal #about #the #resilience #rural #small #businesses

Why it matters: Efforts to reverse-engineer source code from retro console games to create native PC ports have intensified in recent years. Most completed projects have brought high resolutions, modding capabilities, and other enhancements to titles from the Nintendo 64 era and earlier. However, recent breakthroughs have begun to make more advanced platforms, like the GameCube and Xbox 360, increasingly accessible. Mario Party 4 is set to become the first GameCube title to receive a full decompilation, paving the way for unofficial PC ports. Unlike emulation, reverse engineering retro games offers modders significantly more flexibility when making modifications or adapting classics to new platforms. As MattKC Bytes explains in the video below, the decompilation of Mario Party 4 is over 99 percent complete, with only a few complex functions remaining. While decompilation alone doesn't produce a PC port, it is a critical first step – and a port of Mario Party 4 with online multiplayer is already in development. Mario Party 4 might seem like an obscure choice for the first fully decompiled GameCube game, but it was easier to reverse engineer than others because developer Hudson Soft originally compiled it without optimizations. Modders are also working on more popular GameCube titles, including Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Meanwhile, an unofficial PC port of the Xbox 360 title Sonic Unleashed has recently been completed. // Related Stories Although emulators like Dolphin have long allowed fans to play these classics on modern platforms, porting decompiled code enables much more extensive enhancements – akin to mods for open-source PC games like Doom and Quake. In a recent video (below), YouTuber Nerrel explained how ongoing efforts allow games like the original Super Smash Bros. to run at 240 frames per second and open the door to major gameplay tweaks for The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Games such as Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have already received PC ports that enable high resolutions and framerates. Additionally, a related project is attempting to revive Dinosaur Planet, which was never released. Modders are even experimenting with adding ray tracing to classic games, similar to NVIDIA's RTX Remix. A modding tool released about a year ago has helped streamline the recompilation process, though the community still faces numerous technical challenges. As a result, the timeline for future PC ports remains uncertain. Importantly, Nintendo hasn't struck down decompilation projects with lawsuits yet. Modders normally reverse engineer games using clean room tactics to avoid legal issues, and playing a PC port requires a copy of the original title. Masthead credit: VGR Remix Source: https://www.techspot.com/news/107905-modders-use-reverse-engineering-bring-mario-party-4.html #modders #use #reverse #engineering #bring #mario #party #more #gamecube #games #follow

“Mixed reality has already changed the way cars are designed with gaming engines like Unity. So it’s already here.” – Jussi Mäkinen, Chief Brand Officer at VarjoVarjo, Volvo Cars, and Unity have a well-established collaborative partnership. This partnership brings together Varjo’s human-eye resolution headsets, Unity’s leading real-time 3D technology, and Volvo’s drive for innovation.Drawing on their joint experiences, Varjo chief brand officer Jussi Mäkinen, Volvo innovation leader Timmy Ghiurau, and Unity director Jeff Hanks participated in a panel discussion at SXSW 2023. Each firmly agrees that mixed reality (MR) is an important technology for the automotive industry.Here, we’ll explore the top three ways that mixed reality is already proving its worth. You can check out the full panel conversation on SXSW.com.The automotive industry has wholeheartedly embraced mixed reality, and it’s changing the way cars are sold, engineered, designed, and repaired. As Ghiurau explains, Volvo Cars was an early adopter of real-time 3D – largely driven by his understanding of the potential of gaming technology to be applied in industry.Their virtual twin of a Volvo car allows design and engineering teams to focus on how the machine interacts with the human, which he argues is essential to build trust between human and machine.By adopting real-time 3D technology, teams at Volvo Cars are able to incorporate the human factor early in the design process, which allows them to consider unique challenges such as driver frustration and address them early on.“With mixed reality, we are putting the human at the center to see how people might react to various scenarios or human factors like entertainment and stress.” – Timmy Ghiurau, Innovation Leader at Volvo CarsVarjo partners with innovative companies across industries to create virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) products and services for advanced users. As Mäkinen says, their experience clearly shows that the automotive industry is already feeling the benefits of mixed reality tech. These range from a reduced dependence on physical mockups for creating new vehicles, to allowing faster design iteration, greater creativity, and running more efficient testing scenarios.As early adopters of real-time 3D and immersive technology, automotive companies are already reaping the benefits in key use cases like 3D product design and visualization, human machine interface (HMI), and immersive training.Connecting data silos is a fundamental challenge across the automotive industry. Real-time 3D is addressing that challenge by creating paths to interoperability, often through the medium of mixed reality. For example, by overlaying complex engineering data with design options in a mixed reality environment, stakeholders can envision design while retaining accurate engineering specifications. This single, visual source of truth enables design iteration to become a conversation between machine and aesthetics.Take the recently launched Volvo EX90 for example. As Ghiurau explains, Volvo Cars used Varjo mixed reality throughout the design process of this model, and improved efficiency, faster build, and the ability to conduct real-time testing from the back seat were just a few of the benefits.“The tools are already helping us to make design and engineering decisions more efficient and streamlined. With that saved time, we can explore other implications such as circular economy, sustainability, and other aspects.” – Timmy Ghiurau, Innovation Leader at Volvo CarsMäkinen explains how mixed reality delivers further benefits by enabling the interoperability of big data that allows more people from different backgrounds to access the information. Simply put, these solutions help developers, designers, and nontechnical end users to envision, interact with, and collaborate on complex processes more intuitively. The opportunity to better understand end-user challenges results in more inclusive solutions.What does democratization really mean, in the context of the automotive industry?With real-time 3D, Volvo Cars can make simulators and mixed reality functionality available across multiple departments. Crucially, by using Unity, teams are able to adopt the technology for themselves – they’re not dependent on developers to build mixed reality solutions. Because of this democratization, the teams have found that their uses of mixed reality go beyond what was originally anticipated. Ghiurau cites examples of teams using the tech for simulating fluid dynamics and predicting crash test data flows.Future success for automotive companies is dependent on the need to iterate and adapt faster. Many are using Unity’s real-time 3D tech to enable their visions of the future, including testing and simulating for long-term scenarios, or powering next-level infotainment systems. Mixed reality solutions enable teams to go beyond their immediate tasks to anticipate and influence the automotive future.With technology advances like Varjo Reality Cloud and hand-and-eye tracking for menu option selections, the barriers to adopting mixed reality are disappearing everyday. Cross-team collaboration is truly possible in mixed reality.To learn more about what role mixed reality could have for Volvo Cars’ future, check out Timmy Ghiurau’s Unity Creator Day session.Going beyond automotive design teams, there are numerous potential advantages to extending mixed reality to the creation of consumer experiences, such as:Enhancing the driver’s experience: Navigation and infotainment systems could be improved by providing real-time information on the surroundings and road conditions through interactive dashboards or head-up displays (HUDs).Improving driver safety: Automotive companies are working on the development of full-windshield HUDs, as well as sensors that can transmit real-time information about the vehicle conditions and environmental factors.Supporting consumer maintenance: Interactive manuals contain simple step-by-step instructions and video tutorials that allow users to maintain some car functions.Interactive sales experiences: Digital car showrooms give consumers a way to engage with and customize their potential purchases.Contact us to discuss how real-time 3D and mixed reality could work for you, or check out our software suite for Industry. Source: https://unity.com/blog/industry/3-ways-mixed-reality-is-driving-change-in-car-development #ways #mixed #reality #driving #change #car #development

In its latest executive guide, “Agentic AI – The New Frontier in GenAI,” PwC presents a strategic approach for what it defines as the next pivotal evolution in enterprise automation: Agentic Artificial Intelligence. These systems, capable of autonomous decision-making and context-aware interactions, are poised to reconfigure how organizations operate—shifting from traditional software models to orchestrated AI-driven services. From Automation to Autonomous Intelligence Agentic AI is not just another AI trend—it marks a foundational shift. Unlike conventional systems that require human input for each decision point, agentic AI systems operate independently to achieve predefined goals. Drawing on multimodal data (text, audio, images), they reason, plan, adapt, and learn continuously in dynamic environments. PwC identifies six defining capabilities of agentic AI: Autonomy in decision-making Goal-driven behavior aligned with organizational outcomes Environmental interaction to adapt in real time Learning capabilities through reinforcement and historical data Workflow orchestration across complex business functions Multi-agent communication to coordinate actions within distributed systems This architecture enables enterprise-grade systems that go beyond single-task automation to orchestrate entire processes with human-like intelligence and accountability. Closing the Gaps of Traditional AI Approaches The report contrasts agentic AI with earlier generations of chatbots and RAG-based systems. Traditional rule-based bots suffer from rigidity, while retrieval-augmented systems often lack contextual understanding across long interactions. Agentic AI surpasses both by maintaining dialogue memory, reasoning across systems (e.g., CRM, ERP, IVR), and dynamically solving customer issues. PwC envisions micro-agents—each optimized for tasks like inquiry resolution, sentiment analysis, or escalation—coordinated by a central orchestrator to deliver coherent, responsive service experiences. Demonstrated Impact Across Sectors PwC’s guide is grounded in practical use cases spanning industries: JPMorgan Chase has automated legal document analysis via its COiN platform, saving over 360,000 manual review hours annually. Siemens leverages agentic AI for predictive maintenance, improving uptime and cutting maintenance costs by 20%. Amazon uses multimodal agentic models to deliver personalized recommendations, contributing to a 35% increase in sales and improved retention. These examples demonstrate how agentic systems can optimize decision-making, streamline operations, and enhance customer engagement across functions—from finance and healthcare to logistics and retail. A Paradigm Shift: Service-as-a-Software One of the report’s most thought-provoking insights is the rise of service-as-a-software—a departure from traditional licensing models. In this paradigm, organizations pay not for access to software but for task-specific outcomes delivered by AI agents. For instance, instead of maintaining a support center, a business might deploy autonomous agents like Sierra and only pay per successful customer resolution. This model reduces operational costs, expands scalability, and allows organizations to move incrementally from “copilot” to fully autonomous “autopilot” systems. To implement these systems, enterprises can choose from both commercial and open-source frameworks: LangGraph and CrewAI offer enterprise-grade orchestration with integration support. AutoGen and AutoGPT, on the open-source side, support rapid experimentation with multi-agent architectures. The optimal choice depends on integration needs, IT maturity, and long-term scalability goals. Crafting a Strategic Adoption Roadmap PwC emphasizes that success in deploying agentic AI hinges on aligning AI initiatives with business objectives, securing executive sponsorship, and starting with high-impact pilot programs. Equally crucial is preparing the organization with ethical safeguards, data infrastructure, and cross-functional talent. Agentic AI offers more than automation—it promises intelligent, adaptable systems that learn and optimize autonomously. As enterprises recalibrate their AI strategies, those that move early will not only unlock new efficiencies but also shape the next chapter of digital transformation. Download the Guide here. 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 90k+ ML SubReddit. Here’s a brief overview of what we’re building at Marktechpost: ML News Community – r/machinelearningnews (92k+ members) Newsletter– airesearchinsights.com/(30k+ subscribers) miniCON AI Events – minicon.marktechpost.com AI Reports & Magazines – magazine.marktechpost.com AI Dev & Research News – marktechpost.com (1M+ monthly readers) Partner with us NikhilNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute.Nikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/Multimodal AI Needs More Than Modality Support: Researchers Propose General-Level and General-Bench to Evaluate True Synergy in Generalist ModelsNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces Effective State-Size (ESS): A Metric to Quantify Memory Utilization in Sequence Models for Performance OptimizationNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/Huawei Introduces Pangu Ultra MoE: A 718B-Parameter Sparse Language Model Trained Efficiently on Ascend NPUs Using Simulation-Driven Architecture and System-Level OptimizationNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/Google Redefines Computer Science R&D: A Hybrid Research Model that Merges Innovation with Scalable Engineering Source: https://www.marktechpost.com/2025/05/13/pwc-releases-executive-guide-on-agentic-ai-a-strategic-blueprint-for-deploying-autonomous-multi-agent-systems-in-the-enterprise/ #pwc #releases #executive #guide #agentic #strategic #blueprint #for #deploying #autonomous #multiagent #systems #the #enterprise