Author: AI News First

Sitting in Lincoln Center awaiting the curtain for Ayad Akhtar’s McNeal—a much anticipated theater production starring Robert Downey Jr., with ChatGPT in a supporting role—I mused how playwrights have been dealing with the implications of AI for over a century. In 1920—well before Alan Turing devised his famous test and decades before the 1956 summer Dartmouth conference that gave artificial intelligence its name—a Czech playwright named Karel Čapek wrote R.U.R.—Rossum’s Universal Robots. Not only was this the first time the word “robot” was employed, but Čapek may qualify as the first AI doomer, since his play dramatized an android uprising…

In today’s digital landscape, mastering Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any website aiming to gain visibility and attract organic traffic. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned marketer, or simply someone looking to boost your online presence, understanding the intricacies of SEO can be a game-changer. Fortunately, you don’t need to break the bank to learn the ropes. Many free SEO courses are available online, catering to learners of all levels. These courses offer a valuable opportunity to grasp the fundamentals, stay updated with the latest trends, and acquire practical skills to improve your website’s ranking in search…

Take your creativity to the next level with the Wacom Intuos Pro (2025), the ultimate tablet for professional artists and designers. –Pro Pen 3 Technology: It’s a pen that fits your style. Check out the customizable grips, programmable buttons, and 2 interchangeable nibs.–Enhanced Workflow Controls: The ExpressKeys and touch buttons are now on top for better ergonomics.–Larger Active Area, Slimmer Design: Now with a 16:9 aspect ratio to match modern displays, the Intuos Pro gives you more space to create.–Multi-Device Connectivity: Connect up to 3 devices—one wired via USB and 2 wireless via Bluetooth. Switch between them with a mechanical toggle.–Seamless…

The widespread layoff of Department of Agriculture scientists has thrown vital research into disarray, according to former and current employees of the agency. Scientists hit by the layoffs were working on projects to improve crops, defend against pests and disease, and understand the climate impact of farming practices. The layoffs also threaten to undermine billions of taxpayer dollars paid to farmers to support conservation practices, experts warn.The USDA layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal employees, mainly targeting people who are in their probationary periods ahead of gaining full-time status, which for USDA scientists can be…

Streaming juggernaut Netflix plans to spend $1 billion on film and TV production in Mexico over the next four years. CEO Ted Sarandos announced the plan Thursday during a press conference with Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The injection of capital could fund 20 productions per year, on average.During Thursday’s event, Netflix also announced a $2 million investment in Mexico City’s Churubusco Studios to improve the facilities. The goal is to strengthen the national film industry.“Our journey in Mexico has taken us from north to south. From sunsets on the Baja California peninsula to sunrises on the Caribbean coast,” Sarandos said.…

Sweeping layoffs architected by the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency may be coming as soon as this week at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency responsible for establishing benchmarks that ensure everything from beauty products to quantum computers are safe and reliable.According to several current and former employees at NIST, the agency has been bracing for cuts since President Donald Trump took office last month and ordered billionaire Elon Musk and DOGE to slash spending across the federal government. The fears were heightened last week when some NIST workers witnessed a…

Lauren Goode: Sam said that?Zoë Schiffer: To his employees.Lauren Goode: Interesting.Michael Calore: He also came out on X and said something about, “I wish he would compete.”Zoë Schiffer: Oh, yeah. He was like, “I wish he would compete in the marketplace, not in the courtroom.”Lauren Goode: Yeah. Sam said in a Bloomberg News interview, “I wish he would just compete by building a better product. Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity.” Shots fired. And he said he didn’t think that he was a happy person.Zoë Schiffer: Oh my gosh. Is Sam Altman trying to compete to…

Not only does DOGE not seem to understand this, it has given no indication that it wants to understand. These are the easiest employees to fire, legally speaking, so they’re gone. It even changed the length of the probationary period—from one year of service to two—in order to super-size its purge of the National Science Foundation.It takes a certain swashbuckling arrogance to propel a startup to glory. But as we’ve repeatedly said, the United States is not a startup. The federal government exists to do all of the things that are definitionally not profitable, that serve the public good rather…

Other Smartwatches to ConsiderThe number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. I’ve tested models from Tag Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc, and many other fashion brands, but most of them are simply too expensive for what you get. Here are a few options I like.Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Photograph: Julian ChokkattuSamsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra for $650: The 47-mm Galaxy Watch Ultra (7/10, WIRED Review) is the company’s Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin competitor, and it’s a solid first entry into the world of pricey, feature-rich, and powerful smartwatches designed for professional athletes. It lasts a little over two days on a…

In the new normal, it’s important to equip yourself with multiple skills to remain valuable in the job market. Organizations are looking to build a highly-skilled talent pool to take the organization to new heights. This makes it crucial to acquire additional skills that provide a competitive advantage over your peers and fast-track your career.  SkillUp by Simplilearn offers free online courses on the most in-demand skills in the market. Our courses are an affordable and flexible way to build strong foundational skills for career growth. Acquire new skills from qualified instructors and industry experts for free. Learn at your…