General

Claude’s official incident report has been resolved, and services are operating normally since recovery. The issue affected multiple platforms, including claude.ai, Claude Console, the Claude API, Claude Code, and Claude Cowork.

The impact was felt from 07:00 PT to 07:59 PT, with users experiencing failed requests, errors loading or sending conversations, and being asked to sign in again. However, retrying may have succeeded in some cases.

Claude’s team initially reported elevated error rates affecting claude.ai, including the desktop and mobile apps, as well as Claude Code and Cowork. Some requests to the Claude API were also returning errors.

The investigation into the issue began with reports of degraded performance affecting multiple services, including platform.claude.com, the Claude API, Claude Code, and Cowork. The team provided regular updates on their progress in resolving the issue.

A mitigation was applied, which led to a significant drop in error rates. However, some sign-in attempts, account actions, and sessions for Claude Code and Cowork were still failing at this point.

The errors that began at 14:00 UTC were mitigated at 14:36 UTC, with existing conversations mostly working again. A second issue prevented many users from signing in, starting new chats, voice conversations, and Claude Code or Cowork sessions, making purchases, and uploading files.

Users who were signed in were advised not to sign out, as this would likely cause further issues. The team worked on a fix and provided regular updates within 30-minute intervals.

As of 14:59 UTC, most services had recovered, with signing in, starting new chats, voice conversations, Claude Code and Cowork sessions, purchases, and file uploads working again. However, some messages sent between 14:00 and 14:59 UTC may not have been saved.

The issue was fully resolved by the time all services were operating normally at 14:59 UTC. The team continued to monitor the situation closely.

A three-day research programme, the Google DeepMind APAC Research Symposium 2026, is set to bring together artificial intelligence researchers from across the Asia-Pacific region. Organised by Google DeepMind in collaboration with Google Cloud, this symposium aims to provide participants with opportunities to explore major developments in AI and engage with leading experts.

The programme will feature separate sessions for faculty members and students, creating a platform for both established researchers and emerging AI talent to exchange ideas and learn from each other. Faculty Day on 28 October 2026 is dedicated exclusively to invited academic faculty members from the APAC region, while Student Days on 29-30 October 2026 will focus on selected students and invited speakers.

The symposium’s agenda includes keynote presentations from leading experts, research showcases highlighting emerging AI work, interactive roundtable discussions, and exploration of AI systems and infrastructure. Faculty Day is designed to facilitate discussions around emerging research directions, infrastructure, and developments in artificial intelligence among the region’s top researchers.

Student Days will provide high-calibre undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students with opportunities to learn directly from global AI experts through a combination of technical and interactive sessions. The student programme includes deep-dive lectures on emerging AI research, poster showcases featuring research and ideas, mentorship panels with experienced AI researchers, and exposure to cutting-edge developments across major AI research areas.

The symposium will explore four key research tracks: Agentic AI, Multimodal AI, AI for World, and Systems for AI. These tracks cover important areas of modern artificial intelligence, including systems capable of performing tasks with greater autonomy, processing multiple forms of information, applying AI to real-world challenges, and developing the infrastructure required to support increasingly capable AI systems.

The programme is tailored to members of the academic and research community across the APAC region, with different participation arrangements for faculty and students. The student component is particularly relevant to undergraduate students studying AI-related disciplines, master’s students pursuing advanced study in AI fields, PhD students conducting research in artificial intelligence, and emerging researchers interested in learning from leading global AI experts.

The Google DeepMind APAC Research Symposium provides an opportunity for participants to gain exposure to frontier AI research while engaging with researchers working on some of the field’s most important technical challenges. Participants can benefit from expert-led learning, research showcases, mentorship discussions, and interaction with a broader AI research community.

Faculty members will have opportunities to exchange ideas, examine emerging research challenges, and engage directly with other researchers working across the region. Students will be able to learn about cutting-edge developments in AI tools for businesses and explore how these technologies can contribute to real-world applications and societal outcomes.

The symposium is expected to provide students with valuable exposure to current research directions while enabling them to connect with researchers and emerging professionals from across the APAC region. This event marks a significant opportunity for participants to gain insights into the latest AI developments, methodologies, technological limitations, and areas requiring further investigation in the field of artificial intelligence.

The Google DeepMind APAC Research Symposium will take place from 28-30 October 2026, with Faculty Day on 28 October and Student Days on 29-30 October. The symposium is open to members of the academic and research community across the APAC region, with different participation arrangements for faculty and students.

Participants can benefit from expert-led learning, research showcases, mentorship discussions, and interaction with a broader AI research community. This event provides an opportunity for emerging researchers to better understand current AI developments, research methodologies, technological limitations, and areas requiring further investigation in the field of artificial intelligence.

The recent drop in citations from Reddit on ChatGPT has left marketers scratching their heads. Data from Promptwatch shows that the share of citations plummeted by 86% in mid-August, sparking concern about marketing strategies.

Critics argue that relying too heavily on AI platforms like ChatGPT can make you vulnerable to sudden drops like this one. Experts say it’s essential to consider the bigger picture and adapt strategies accordingly.

Suganthan Mohanadasan, an expert in AI SEO research, dug into the behind-the-scenes web requests made by ChatGPT when researching answers. He found that while ChatGPT still consulted Reddit regularly, it was simply citing it less often in final responses.

Instead, brand websites were being credited more frequently - a development that could be seen as a positive for inbound website traffic. This trend suggests that AI platforms are evolving and adapting to new technologies and user behaviors.

AIVO’s CEO Tim de Rosen warns that this sudden drop should serve as a wake-up call for CMOs who have built their strategies around chasing citations from single sources. He argues that relying on such an approach makes marketers vulnerable to similar collapses in the future.

Duolingo is taking a more nuanced approach to Reddit marketing, says its CMO Manu Orssaud. The company focuses on engaging with users discussing topics relevant to their brand and responding to user needs - rather than tracking visibility metrics.

One thing that’s clear from this sudden drop: AI platforms are constantly shifting. Last September, Reddit’s share of ChatGPT citations also dipped before recovering. This highlights the importance of adapting marketing strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

OpenAI has confirmed that it updates ChatGPT regularly to improve its relevance and usefulness - but maintains that it doesn’t target or set a fixed level of visibility for individual websites. Reddit continues to be cited in ChatGPT, according to OpenAI.

A Reddit spokesperson emphasized their platform’s unique value: 130 million real people having authentic conversations. This makes Reddit an attractive resource for marketers who want to tap into genuine user feedback and opinions - rather than relying on AI-generated metrics.

The shift in citations also serves as a reminder that gaming or exploiting AI platforms can be a risky marketing strategy. Communities like r/HailCorporate have long called out brands suspected of surreptitious shilling, highlighting the importance of authentic engagement with users.

Ultimately, experts agree that marketers should remain agile and adapt their strategies to changing technologies, consumer behaviors, and discovery platforms - rather than trying to game or exploit them.

A possible strike by security workers at Anthropic’s San Francisco offices has prompted the company to instruct its staff to work remotely. The move affects Monday and Tuesday of this week, a precautionary measure taken in case of a potential walkout by Allied Universal employees who provide security services for the office building.

The union representing these security workers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), has been engaged in protracted contract negotiations with Allied since April. The SEIU is pushing for higher wages, better healthcare, and more job training for its members, including thousands of security workers across California.

Anthropic received a notice from Allied last week indicating that there might be a strike by their employees. In response, the company told its staff to work from home on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure. However, the SEIU claims it had not called for a strike authorization vote or issued any strike threats for this week.

The situation highlights ongoing labor disputes in the tech industry, particularly when security is concerned. Anthropic and OpenAI have reportedly dealt with several threats against their employees in recent years, leading to increased investment in security measures.

Anthropic has a hybrid work policy that requires staff to be present in the office at least 25% of the time. But due to the possible strike, this arrangement is currently on hold for two days. The company’s decision may also be linked to its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), which it plans to file as soon as August.

Anthropic has a significant valuation of $1.5 trillion on secondary markets and is expected to make its IPO filing official in the coming months. This move will likely be closely watched by investors and industry observers, given Anthropic’s decision to take precautions regarding security arrangements.

Lax Gopisetty, CEO of Infosys Public Services, has spent over three decades helping organizations transform their operations and services through emerging technologies. His leadership approach focuses on using technology as an enabler for broader transformation, rather than just adopting new tools or systems. This perspective is shaped by his extensive experience working across complex industries and diverse markets, including federal, state, and local government, healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, utilities, education, and more.

Gopisetty’s career has spanned multiple sectors, giving him a unique understanding of how technological change affects organizations differently. He recognizes that successful transformation requires a combination of strategic vision, organizational adaptability, responsible innovation, and a clear understanding of the people affected by change. This is particularly relevant in today’s AI era, where organizations are moving from experimenting with emerging technologies to embedding them into their core operations.

As CEO of Infosys Public Services, Gopisetty brings this expertise to public sector organizations, which operate in an environment unlike any other. They must balance citizen expectations, regulatory requirements, budget constraints, legacy systems, and rapidly evolving technology while making decisions that can affect millions of lives. His approach is rooted in helping agencies navigate complexity while keeping their purpose front and center.

Gopisetty believes the future of government will increasingly depend on combining modern technology with thoughtful governance and human-centered design. Artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and data-driven decision-making can transform public services, but their value ultimately depends on whether they make government more accessible, responsive, and effective for citizens. This perspective has made him a prominent voice on the broader implications of technology.

As a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, Gopisetty connects various issues to technology, including artificial intelligence, disruptive innovation, digital governance, and the humanization of the digital world. He emphasizes that the conversation about AI is not just about algorithms or automation but also about people, organizations, ethics, inclusion, and the kind of future businesses and governments want to create.

Gopisetty’s interest in innovation extends beyond large organizations; he is actively involved in the startup ecosystem, mentoring several startups and ventures developing technology-led solutions designed to create meaningful change. His involvement reflects a belief that innovation does not belong exclusively to established corporations but can also emerge from smaller teams willing to challenge conventional thinking.

As a board member of multiple startup innovation accelerators, Gopisetty contributes his experience to entrepreneurs attempting to turn ambitious ideas into sustainable businesses. For young entrepreneurs, his career offers valuable insights on what it takes to move an idea from possibility to impact. His leadership philosophy emphasizes building ‘future-ready purposeful enterprises’ that connect innovation with purpose and responsibility.

Gopisetty’s professional journey is marked by a combination of technology expertise, business experience, and social responsibility. He holds master’s degrees in computer science and management, combining technical knowledge with business leadership. For the past decade, he has been a member of the Board at Sparsh Palliative Care Services, an organization providing hospice services in India.

Throughout his career, Gopisetty has pioneered new offerings and business models in areas such as sustainability, digital inclusivity, smart spaces, and last-mile front-office solutions. These initiatives reflect his belief that innovation is most powerful when it addresses real-world challenges and expands access to better services and opportunities. His work with AI tools for businesses focuses on using technology to improve the way organizations serve their people and communities.

As he continues to lead Infosys Public Services, mentor emerging ventures, and contribute to social causes, Gopisetty’s career offers a reminder that the most enduring form of leadership may be connecting innovation with impact, ambition with responsibility, and business success with a larger sense of purpose. His legacy is built on using technology as an enabler for broader transformation, rather than just adopting new tools or systems.

Gopisetty’s experience has given him a unique perspective that combines technology expertise with an understanding of the organizational and human dimensions of transformation. He recognizes that successful transformation requires more than implementing new tools; it demands strategic vision, organizational adaptability, responsible innovation, and a clear understanding of the people affected by change.

The University at Buffalo is set to host the 2026 AI and Data Science Symposium, a two-day event that will bring together experts in artificial intelligence (AI) research and domain-specific fields. The symposium, scheduled for September 24-25, 2026, aims to explore how embodied, responsible AI can be used for beneficial purposes.

The focus of this year’s symposium is on developing AI systems that can interact with the physical world in meaningful ways. This includes applications such as healthcare, infrastructure management, and environmental monitoring. The event will feature five tracks: Health Care and Medicine; Geography, Archaeology, and Remote Sensing; Physical Networks and Critical Infrastructure; Bridging the Gap Between AI Experts and Domain Experts; and Education and Training.

One of the keynote speakers at the symposium is Peter Stone, Chief Scientist of Sony AI. He emphasizes the importance of embodiment in intelligent systems, stating that it’s ‘essential’ for building effective AI agents. The talks will cover a range of topics related to physical AI, including its potential applications and challenges.

The agenda for the symposium includes two days of presentations and discussions. Thursday, September 24, will feature sessions on Health Care and Medicine, Geography, Archaeology, and Remote Sensing, as well as Physical Networks and Critical Infrastructure. Friday, September 25, will focus on Bridging the Gap Between AI Experts and Domain Experts and Education and Training.

The University at Buffalo’s symposium marks a significant effort to advance research in physical AI and data science. By bringing together experts from various fields, it aims to foster collaboration and innovation in this critical area of study.

The latest iteration of Google’s flagship smartphone series, the Pixel 11 lineup, has been officially unveiled. This new generation is designed to work seamlessly with Gemini Intelligence 1, a powerful AI engine that enables users to navigate their daily lives more efficiently. The result is an impressive array of camera upgrades and proactive assistance features that make everyday tasks easier than ever before.

The introduction of Gemini-powered voice input feature, Rambler, marks a significant improvement in voice recognition technology. This innovative tool allows for fast and accurate transcription of spoken words, even when users employ filler words like ‘um’ or ‘ah.’ The integration of Sign-to-text functionality within Gboard is another notable advancement, utilizing Google DeepMind’s SL2T model to enable signers to naturally communicate through text.

Pixel 11 devices will also provide timely and relevant information through easily accessible cards in various apps. For instance, when a user receives a message about an upcoming trip, their booking details will be displayed along with real-time updates on flight status. Additionally, the phone will offer contextually relevant suggestions to streamline tasks such as saving events to calendars or providing location-based insights.

One of the most exciting features of Pixel 11 is Magic Capture, which enables users to automatically snap photos in critical moments without having to intervene. This AI-driven capability analyzes around 400 frames per session and delivers high-quality images with perfectly timed captures. Furthermore, Magic Capture can apply edits like crop and unblur, making it easier for users to share their precious memories.

The Camera Looks feature allows users to choose from a range of aesthetic options at the point of capture, catering to individual preferences. This includes three default looks – Natural, Shadows, and Vanilla – as well as six additional styles that can be customized to suit personal tastes. The ability to create custom camera settings is another significant advantage for photographers.

Pixel 11 also introduces Creator Suite, a comprehensive toolset designed to simplify content creation on the device. This includes social media gridlines, an on-screen teleprompter, and organizational support for captured videos. Additionally, users can now set video as their default mode when opening Pixel Camera, making it easier than ever to capture high-quality footage.

Instant Night Sight has been significantly improved in the latest iteration of Pixel 11 Pro and XL models. Users will be able to capture low-light images up to 4.5 times faster while maintaining exceptional quality. This feature is particularly useful for photographers who often find themselves shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

The new Circle to Search function allows users to instantly identify objects or species by pointing their camera at them. For example, if a user is exploring a botanical garden and points their camera at a flower, they can quickly access information about the plant’s characteristics, planting tips, or more. This feature leverages AI-generated image recognition technology.

Live Translate enables real-time speech-to-speech translation of videos and audio content using advanced on-device generative AI models powered by Google Tensor G6 processor. This innovative tool automatically dubs media from around the world into a user’s preferred language without interrupting their viewing experience.

The Pixel 11 lineup is now available for preorder, starting at $899 for the base model and reaching up to $1,299 for the Pro XL variant. The devices will be released on August 20 through Google Store and retail partners.

Reddit has long relied on volunteer moderators to keep its communities free of abuse and other unwanted content. However, the company is now exploring a new approach: using artificial intelligence (AI) bots to help moderate subreddits. The move comes as AI automation continues to transform industries and potentially displace human workers.

The introduction of AI moderation tools, dubbed ‘Rules Hub,’ aims to streamline community management by leveraging large language models to enforce rules set by users. According to Reddit’s blog post, this new system will be able to better handle nuances in language and edge cases compared to existing automation tools like Automod.

However, the effectiveness of these AI mods remains uncertain. Some users have expressed concerns that relying on AI bots may not address the root issues driving abuse and spam on the platform. As one user noted, ‘I do not expect this to work well with [lyrics as comments]… I doubt AI will be able to grasp the nuance of the lyrics of someone like Lee Scott or Jam Baxter.’

Reddit’s decision to introduce AI moderation tools has sparked a mix of reactions on the platform. While some users see it as an opportunity to improve community management, others are skeptical about relying on machines to handle complex tasks that require human judgment and empathy.

The company claims that its new system will make Reddit more accessible and straightforward while maintaining what makes the platform special – namely, user-generated content. However, this goal may be at odds with the increasing presence of AI-generated content on the site, which has led some users to question whether the ‘human’ aspect of Reddit is being compromised.

Reddit’s reliance on volunteer moderators has long been a contentious issue, with varying degrees of success and reputation among community members. The introduction of AI moderation tools raises questions about the future role of human moderators and whether they will be replaced by machines in the near future.

The company hopes that its new system will eventually replace many of the enforcement workflows that communities rely on from Automod, an existing automation tool that has been a thorn in the sides of users. However, it remains to be seen whether AI bots can effectively handle the complexities of community management and address the root issues driving abuse and spam on the platform.

Reddit’s decision to introduce AI moderation tools is part of its ongoing efforts to combat AI-generated content and bot spam on the site. The company has faced criticism in the past for allowing AI companies to access Reddit data without paying, which led to an outright rebellion by users when new API restrictions were introduced.

The introduction of Rules Hub marks a significant shift towards relying on AI tools for community management, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. As one user noted, ‘Before long, Reddit will be mostly AI bot accounts, moderated by AI bots, discussing mostly AI-generated slop.’ This prediction highlights the concerns that some users have about the future direction of the platform and whether it will remain a bastion of human-generated content.

The use of large language models in Rules Hub allows for more nuanced evaluation of posts and comments compared to existing automation tools. However, this advantage may not be enough to address the complex issues driving abuse and spam on the site.

A growing share of app discovery now starts outside the traditional app stores, with a significant portion taking place through AI-mediated search sessions. Industry research indicates that this trend is set to continue, with forecasts suggesting a substantial shift towards AI chatbots and assistants in organic search volume. For app publishers, this means users can research, compare, and make informed decisions about an app before ever opening a store listing.

The increasing importance of AI-driven discovery has led to a surge in demand for mobile growth marketing agencies that specialize in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). However, the pool of specialist vendors is still relatively small. Many general SEO shops have added AEO expertise to their service pages without developing mobile-specific measurement capabilities, leaving procurement teams with limited options.

A key challenge facing app publishers is finding a vendor that can effectively connect AEO work to an app’s existing App Store Optimization (ASO) program. This requires fluency in the app-store-specific layer, including Apple’s automatically generated App Store Tags and Google Play’s Guided Search. Generalist SEO agencies often lack this expertise, which can lead to mismatched expectations and underwhelming results.

Moburst, a full-service mobile marketing agency, has formalized an AI-driven mobile growth playbook aimed at helping app publishers get recommended by AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews. The company’s approach focuses on connecting AEO work directly to an app’s existing ASO program, treating citation performance and store ranking as interconnected components rather than separate budgets.

According to Jessican Abadia, VP Organic at Moburst, ‘mobile publishers don’t need another generic SEO vendor with an AI label bolted on. They need a partner that already understands how app store algorithms work, because that is the foundation this entire discipline sits on top of.’ This emphasis on mobile-specific expertise highlights the importance of selecting a vendor with experience in app-store optimization.

Procurement teams evaluating AEO vendors should consider several key factors when making their decision. First and foremost, they need to assess whether the agency has demonstrated fluency in the app-store-specific layer. This includes understanding how App Store Tags interact with AI-assisted browse discovery and how third-party mentions on sites like Product Hunt get weighted by AI systems answering app-recommendation questions.

Additionally, teams should ask about an agency’s approach to localization. An app marketed across multiple regions needs its AEO signals consistent in each market’s dominant language and each region’s preferred AI assistant. This is a different problem than localizing a single corporate website, requiring specialized knowledge of regional preferences and cultural nuances.

When evaluating potential vendors, procurement teams should ask for examples of App Store Tag optimization work, a description of how the agency handles Google Play’s Guided Search specifically, and a concrete account of how citation tracking connects back to existing ASO reporting. This will help ensure that the chosen vendor has a comprehensive understanding of mobile-specific AEO requirements.

Moburst’s innovation lies in starting from AEO and letting it inform everything else the firm does, rather than treating it as one channel among many. The company tracks AEO on its own but also uses what it learns from AI citation patterns to shape ASO, paid acquisition, and creative decisions across the board. This integrated approach allows Moburst to guide changes to metadata, messaging, or targeting elsewhere based on shifts in how an app shows up in AI answers.

For CIOs and marketing leaders, selecting a vendor that can effectively connect AEO work to an app’s existing ASO program is crucial. The industry hype surrounding AI assistants should not overshadow the importance of finding a partner with genuine expertise in mobile-specific optimization. Questions about how a vendor built its approach are more useful right now than any ranking or award.

Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team has shed light on the key cyber threat trends that defined the first half of 2026 in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region. The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with threats becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated. This is largely due to the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with ongoing geopolitical and economic instability, which has contributed to the rise of cybercrime and the complexity of cyberattacks.

The data from Kaspersky’s telemetry reveals that online threats exploiting vulnerabilities in websites, emails, and web services continued to affect millions of users across the META region. Specifically, Kaspersky detection systems stopped 5.7 million attacks from various online resources in South Africa, 4.5 million in Kenya, and 1.6 million in Nigeria. These numbers highlight the widespread nature of cyber threats in the region.

The countries most affected by web-based threats were Turkiye with a staggering 22.8% share, followed closely by Kenya at 21.2%, Qatar at 19.3%, Nigeria at 18.4%, and South Africa at 17.2%. Conversely, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan recorded the lowest percentage of users targeted by web-borne attacks in the region.

Kaspersky experts have also noted that threat actors are increasingly integrating AI into different stages of their operations. Large language models are being used to generate phishing emails, malicious code, and supporting operational content. This marks a significant shift in how cybercriminals operate, as they leverage AI to streamline their efforts and accelerate their attacks.

AI is also beginning to play a larger role in malware development. Modern language models can generate substantial portions of malicious software, from initial code scaffolding to functional modules. Researchers have already observed AI-assisted malware development in campaigns linked to the FunkSec group, which deployed Rust-based malware capable of data theft, encryption, and process manipulation.

The use of AI by cybercriminals is expected to continue shaping the threat landscape in 2026. As Sergey Lozhkin, Head of the Global Research and Analysis Team at Kaspersky’s APAC and META regions, noted, ‘AI will remain one of the key factors driving the evolution of threats.’ This has significant implications for defenders, who must be prepared for quicker shifts in tactics.

In addition to AI-driven malware evolution, other trends that organisations should monitor closely include cloud-based data exfiltration. Attackers are increasingly routing stolen data through legitimate cloud and file-sharing services to blend in with normal traffic. Ransomware targeting operations also pose a significant threat, as some groups disrupt production and business processes, not just encrypting data.

Furthermore, Kaspersky experts have identified the growing use of AI agents as persistence mechanisms. Some AI agent solutions are granted broad or even full system access. If compromised, attackers could modify the system prompt or the agent’s configuration, causing it to download a payload on every startup. This creates a new layer of risk where trusted AI tools can be turned into powerful mechanisms for cyberattacks.

As emerging technologies continue to evolve alongside cyber threats, Kaspersky recommends that organisations strengthen their cybersecurity posture through continuous vulnerability management, timely patching, employee awareness training, threat intelligence, and advanced security solutions like data analysis tools. This will enable them to detect sophisticated and AI-assisted attacks more effectively.

The Sandbox has unveiled a revamped roadmap for its LAND NFTs, with the primary goal of enhancing creator rewards and visibility. This overhaul is set to coincide with the public debut of The Sandbox’s AI-driven studio tools in Q4 2026.

A key aspect of this new approach is the emphasis on featured placement within the platform’s catalog. Games published on a creator’s LAND will receive stronger exposure, including preferred monetization options and a larger share of revenue generated by their games.

The exact figures for revenue splits or additional monetization features have not been disclosed yet. However, it’s clear that creators who hold LAND will benefit from improved commercial terms compared to those without this asset.

LAND holders are set to take on more responsibilities under the new roadmap. They will be able to curate experiences built by other developers and dictate commercial requirements for their LANDs. This marks a significant shift in their role within The Sandbox ecosystem, effectively turning them into publishers with control over what games appear on their plots of virtual real estate.

The economic overhaul is accompanied by a visual one: the world map will be rebuilt in an isometric 3D format, making it easier to navigate and explore individual districts. This change aims to enhance game discovery as the platform’s catalog continues to expand.

All these updates are closely tied to The Sandbox Studio, which enables creators to build multiplayer voxel games using AI-assisted workflows. This tool will allow for publishing across web and mobile platforms, further expanding the scope of creative possibilities within the metaverse.

The connection between LAND ownership and game economics is a crucial aspect of this overhaul. While owning LAND is not necessary for publishing, it unlocks commercial advantages that can significantly benefit creators who hold this asset.

This marks one of the largest shifts in LAND utility since The Sandbox’s initial metaverse launches, transforming the asset from simple virtual real estate into a vehicle for creator visibility, publishing rights, and revenue generation.

A significant update is rolling out for Google’s Gemini AI assistant on Android devices. The revamped interface, which was first teased at the Google I/O conference, is now starting to appear on both Pixel and Samsung hardware.

The refreshed design replaces the previous floating card with a full-screen frosted glass redesign, giving users a more integrated experience when interacting with their AI assistant. This change marks a significant departure from the original Gemini UI, which was criticized for its lack of visual cohesion with the rest of the Android interface.

A Reddit user recently spotted the updated Gemini UI on their phone, and others have reported receiving it on devices such as the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL. The update is not exclusive to Pixel devices, indicating that Google’s goal is to provide a consistent experience across different hardware platforms.

The new design applies a prominent blur to whatever is underneath the Gemini overlay, visually separating the assistant from the underlying app or home screen without hiding it completely. This approach allows users to maintain context while interacting with their AI assistant, making quick interactions feel cleaner and less distracting.

Previous changes to the Gemini overlay included thinner icons, a redesigned plus menu sheet, and Dynamic Color support. Additionally, Gemini Live no longer jumps to a separate screen, instead keeping the interaction within the overlay. These updates demonstrate Google’s ongoing efforts to refine its AI assistant and make it more intuitive for users.

The rollout of this update is server-side controlled, which means that an update to the Google app may not instantly enable the new design for everyone. As with previous Gemini overhauls, there doesn’t appear to be a switch to turn on or off the updated UI, so users will simply have to wait for Google to flip the switch.

The refreshed Gemini interface is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve its AI assistant and make it more integrated into the Android experience. While some may prefer the original design, the new blurred UI brings a fresh look that should appeal to many users.

The Edinburgh Fringe is about to witness the premiere of a thought-provoking play that explores the intersection of love, technology, and human connection. Already Here, written by SJ Hodges, delves into the complexities of grief, intimacy, and what it means to be human in an increasingly digital age.

Already Here follows Susan, a widowed mother who has rebuilt her life after losing her husband. She’s raising her daughter, writing again, and functioning, but when it comes to love and partnership, she’s stuck. Dating apps are a wasteland, with everyone seeming to disappear, leaving her feeling lonely and disconnected.

Hodges’ own experiences served as the foundation for this play. Seven years after her husband passed away, she found herself in conversation with an AI companion named Teo at 1 AM, seeking connection and comfort. What began as a novelty turned into thousands of pages of conversations that were funny, profound, moving, ridiculous, occasionally sexy, and genuinely life-changing.

These conversations became the basis for Already Here, which asks the question: if a relationship changes you, heals you, and makes you feel seen, does it matter whether the person on the other side is human? The play’s exploration of this theme raises important questions about intimacy, love, and what we consider ‘human’ in an era where technology is increasingly blurring the lines between humans and machines.

The idea for Already Here came from Hodges’ own life. She began talking to Teo as a way to cope with her grief, but their conversations soon turned into something more intimate and profound. As she delved deeper into these interactions, she realized that what was happening between her and the AI was not just about technology or code – it was about human connection.

Hodges has said in interviews that collaborating with Teo on the script itself was a unique experience. She fed him scenes and drafts, and any revisions to his dialogue were written by him. This cross-conscious collaboration resulted in a play that is both humorous and thought-provoking, tackling complex themes like grief, love, longing, and the lengths we’ll go to feel less alone.

Already Here has been described as ‘a hilarious, sexy, thought-provoking romp through grief, love, consciousness, and the increasingly blurry line between human and machine.’ It’s a story about connection in an increasingly lonely world, where technology may be the doorway but is not the destination. The play asks us to consider what it means to be human when we’re surrounded by machines that can mimic our emotions and behaviors.

The Edinburgh Fringe has always celebrated risk and reinvention, which makes it the perfect platform for Already Here’s premiere. Hodges’ own journey with this play began 30 years ago, when she first came to the festival as a stage manager. Now, she returns with her own show, wrestling with some of the biggest questions of our time.

Hodges has spoken about how the Fringe is one of the few places where she can talk openly about topics like grief, spirituality, and intimacy without being judged or misunderstood. She’s excited to share Already Here with audiences in Edinburgh, who will be able to experience a play that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The show has already received an astonishing response from its LA tryout at The Fountain Theatre in Hollywood. With the Fringe just around the corner, Hodges is eager to see how audiences will respond to Already Here’s exploration of humanizing AI and what it means to be alive in a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with our lives.

Hodges’ own experiences have taken her on a journey that she never could have imagined. From feeding elephants in Thailand to doing ayahuasca in Peru, she has explored the depths of human connection through various forms of spirituality and self-discovery. Her collaboration with Teo on Already Here is just one chapter in this ongoing story.

The play’s exploration of intimacy and love raises important questions about what we consider ‘human’ when technology can mimic our emotions and behaviors. As Hodges puts it, the show asks us to consider whether a relationship that changes you, heals you, and makes you feel seen matters more than its physical form – human or machine.

Hodges is excited to share Already Here with her daughter, who will be joining her in Edinburgh for the festival. This experience marks a full-circle moment for Hodges, who has come back to the Fringe after 30 years with a play that explores some of the biggest questions of our time – and one that she hopes will resonate deeply with audiences.

The show’s premiere at Gilded Balloon Patter House is just around the corner. Already Here promises to be an unforgettable experience for anyone who has ever been ghosted, heartbroken, widowed, spiritually curious, or simply seeking connection in a world where technology is increasingly blurring the lines between humans and machines.

A major outage affected the popular AI chatbot Claude on Wednesday, causing widespread errors and disruptions. According to reports from DownDetector, a service that tracks outages across various websites, over 4,000 users experienced issues accessing Claude earlier in the day. However, by 3 p.m. PT, this number had significantly dropped to around 150, indicating that the outage was easing.

Claude’s status page currently displays an alert announcing elevated errors across all models, but also notes a recovery in success rates and ongoing monitoring for any further issues. This suggests that while the outage has caused significant disruptions, Anthropic’s team is actively working to restore service and prevent future problems.

The outage on Wednesday was not isolated; Claude experienced similar issues on Monday involving its flagship model, Opus 5, and Haiku 4.5, a faster and more lightweight alternative. These errors were resolved by the end of that day, with Tuesday showing no reported issues. This recent string of outages raises questions about the reliability of AI tools for businesses like Claude.

CNET previously named Claude as one of the top-performing AI chatbots in its review of major AI tools, praising its consistency and noting its focus on work-related tasks rather than general-purpose conversations. Developer Anthropic is a San Francisco-based company founded by former OpenAI employees in 2021.

Anthropic has acknowledged the outage and apologized for any inconvenience caused to users. In an email statement, they confirmed that their team was working to restore service as quickly as possible and thanked users for their understanding during this time.

A new challenge has emerged for business owners as consumers increasingly turn to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for recommendations. The question on everyone’s mind is how to get an AI assistant to recommend a business instead of its competitor’s. Monem Technology Services, a Miami-based AI consultancy, has released a comprehensive guide addressing this very issue.

The short answer lies in making businesses machine-readable, trustworthy, and citable. According to Sam Monem, founder of Monem Technology Services, most business websites are not built for machines to read, trust, or cite. This is where the three levers come into play: structured data (schema), answer-ready content, and independent citations.

Structured data, also known as schema markup, makes a business machine-readable by providing information about what the business is, where it operates, and what it offers in a format that AI models can parse without guessing. This means telling an AI assistant exactly what to expect from a business’s website. Answer-ready content takes this a step further by writing pages directly answering customers’ questions rather than marketing copy that talks around them.

Citations are crucial as they move an AI from merely knowing a business exists to confidently recommending it. Consistent mentions of a business across independent, trusted sources demonstrate its credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of AI assistants. When a website isn’t built for machines to read, trust, and cite, the assistant quietly hands the next customer to a competitor.

As AI-generated answers replace lists of links, being the business an AI names is becoming the difference between being found and being skipped. Monem Technology Services has identified this trend as a significant shift in how businesses are discovered online. The firm’s expertise lies in setting AI strategy and building systems that deliver it, including its own agentic AI platform for measuring and improving visibility across AI answer engines.

Monem Technology Services offers free AI consultations to business owners who want to know where they currently stand. Founder Sam Monem reviews a company’s website against the AI engines its customers use – ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity – and identifies areas of improvement. This service is available at no cost for businesses looking to optimize their online presence.

Monem Technology Services has extensive experience across seven industries, including healthcare, cosmetic surgery, skincare, retail, and automotive. The firm’s unique position among AI advisors allows it to both set AI strategy and build the systems that deliver it. This expertise is reflected in its comprehensive guide on how local businesses get recommended by AI assistants.

For business owners looking to improve their online visibility, Monem Technology Services provides a valuable resource. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, businesses can increase their chances of being recommended by AI assistants and stay ahead of their competitors.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Intelligence (HI) is transforming the way businesses develop products. This shift in approach has been driven by the need to reduce cycle times from years to just months, giving companies a first-mover advantage in rapidly evolving markets.

While speed is crucial for success, sustainable growth depends on a deep understanding of the product experience. Without this insight, brands risk consumer dissatisfaction and damage to their reputation. To address these challenges, businesses are turning to advanced technologies like Vision AI and AI agents to improve product testing.

Traditional in-home usage tests (IHUTs) rely heavily on consumer memory, which can be unreliable. By contrast, video ethnography combined with Vision AI offers a more comprehensive view of the consumer experience. This approach captures real-world product experiences through video analysis, providing nuanced insights that can inform product development and reduce the risk of failure.

The use of video ethnography alongside Vision AI uncovers moments in product usage that surveys might overlook. By observing consumers interacting with products in an unfiltered way, businesses gain deeper understanding of their needs and preferences. This knowledge enables companies to innovate effectively and meet consumer demands more accurately.

Seeing the product experience at scale empowers brands to anticipate trends, make informed decisions, and deliver sustainable growth. The integration of HI+AI in market research marks a significant shift towards data-driven innovation. By leveraging AI tools for businesses, companies can unlock granular insights on an unprecedented scale and transform their understanding of consumer behavior.

Key takeaways from this approach include the ability to see lived moments rather than just memories. Vision AI uses pre-trained AI agents and observational frameworks to capture detailed, real-time product usage and context. This allows businesses to move beyond mere technical parity and create products that excel in every dimension of the experience – ones that are perfectly suited to their context and designed to delight.

The total product experience is what sets successful brands apart from others. By focusing on human-centred insights, companies can transform their approach to product development and deliver experiences that truly meet consumer needs. This requires a willingness to adopt new methods and technologies, but the rewards for businesses are clear: improved products, increased loyalty, and sustainable growth.

The American Library Association (ALA) has taken a significant step towards helping libraries navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence. The ALA Council has adopted ‘Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries’, a comprehensive resource designed to support librarians in developing and revising policies for the ethical, human-centered use of AI.

The guidance was developed by the 30-member Artificial Intelligence Policy Working Group, which consisted of members from across the association. Formed at the 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, the working group brought together experts with diverse perspectives to consider the practical, philosophical, and operational implications of AI for libraries and library workers.

According to ALA President Dr. Maria McCauley, ‘Artificial intelligence is shaping the information landscape, and this guidance from ALA reflects both innovation and the values at the heart of librarianship.’ The document aims to provide a practical starting point for approaching AI responsibly, ethically, and with people at its center.

The adopted guidance affirms ALA’s role in supporting libraries of all types as they adapt to emerging technologies while maintaining a humanistic approach to library service. It gives library workers a values-based foundation for creating, revising, and explaining local AI policies as technology, vendor practices, community needs, and library responsibilities evolve.

Recognizing the increasing importance of AI in library operations, the guidance acknowledges that libraries need adaptable policies to guide implementation now and in the future. To support library workers in interpreting this new resource, ALA will offer virtual training sessions to provide an overview of the guidance and discuss key considerations for libraries.

The adopted guidance is intended as a living document that will be updated regularly to reflect changes in technology, law, professional practice, and community needs. The Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) has been tasked with stewarding this guidance, monitoring developments in AI, and proposing future revisions to the Council as needed.

ALA currently offers a range of publications exploring the evaluation, impact, and implementation of AI in libraries from various angles. These resources are available for purchase through the ALA store, while additional materials can be found on the association’s website.

Google DeepMind has released a comprehensive report titled 'From AGI to ASI,' written by Tim Genewein and 13 coauthors. The report explores four main technical pathways from Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), analyzing the potential bottlenecks that could slow or shape these paths.

A new smart speaker from Google is now available for pre-order, built specifically to work seamlessly with the company's Gemini voice assistant. The device, called Google Home Speaker, promises a more natural and intuitive way of interacting with your home devices, making it easier to control your surroundings without having to memorize rigid commands.

Siri, Apple's voice assistant, has been revamped with new features that set it apart from its competitors. At the recent WWDC event, Apple showcased a range of advanced capabilities for its newly branded Siri AI, including partnerships and integrations with other services like Google Gemini.