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Damage from gut bacteria may play a role in the rise in colon cancer in young adults

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 05:00

Scientists have a new clue in the mystery of why younger people are getting more colon cancer. It may have to do with a toxin produced by a common gut microbe.

(Image credit: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Libra)

Categories: News

New analysis casts doubt on 'biosignatures' found on planet K2-18b

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 05:00

Researchers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope recently announced they had detected biosignature gases on planet K2-18b. A new analysis of the same data casts doubt on the earlier findings

(Image credit: Adriana M. Gutierrez (CI Lab)
)

Categories: News

Free ChatGPT users are finally getting Deep Research access from today, but there are restrictions

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:57
  • A lightweight Deep Research is rolling out to free-tier users
  • It’s based on the ChatGPT 4o-mini model
  • Plus users will also get access to it after they hit their usage limits

It’s the news that all ChatGPT free users have been waiting for: Deep Research is finally coming to the free tier of ChatGPT. However, the new version of the popular research tool is not quite the same as the one currently enjoyed by Pro, Plus, Teams and Enterprise users.

The new Deep Research, which is rolling out to all free-tier users starting from today, is described by OpenAI as ‘lightweight’. It's powered by a version of ChatGPT o4-mini in contrast to the existing Deep Research, which is powered by a version of ChatGPT-o3.

OpenAI describes the new lightweight Deep Research as “nearly as intelligent as the Deep Research people already know and love, while being significantly cheaper to serve.”

In a tweet on the subject OpenAI shared a graph showing accuracy rates for the new lightweight Deep Research compared to the original Deep Research and the o3 model.

The bad news is that free-tier users are going to be restricted to five uses per month, so don’t click the Deep Research button (when you get it) unless you really need to use it.

A graph showing the accuracy of the new lightweight 4o-mini model compared to the original Deep Research, which uses a version of the o3 model. (Image credit: OpenAI) Expanding usage limits for Plus users

At the same time OpenAI says it's expanding its usage limits for Deep Research for existing Plus and Teams users. However, it appears that after your 10 monthly uses have been used up the ‘expansion’ is achieved by giving you access to the lightweight version instead.

After usage limits on the original ChatGPT Deep Research have been reached people will automatically switch to the lightweight version of Deep Research and gain a further 15 uses a month, leading to some ChatGPT users on X accusing the company of being poor value compared to Google’s Gemini, which allows up to 20 uses per day for its Deep Research tool on its Advanced plan and 10 per month for free Gemini users.

ChatGPT Pro users get 125 Deep Research uses a month, with an additional 125 lightweight uses a month, while Enterprise users simply get 10 uses of the original Deep Research a month.

Using Deep Research

To use Deep Research you simply select the 'Deep research' button while using ChatGPT.

Deep Research has agentic qualities, meaning you can give it a task and it will continue researching for you, under its own steam, until it has completed the task, producing a full report complete with citations.

Reports can take several minutes to generate, and involve searching the web for sources, which makes Deep Research most suited to answering complex questions, rather than the usual back and forth chats that people have with AI chatbots.

I've found that Deep Research works best for subjects like literature reviews, market research, or for helping me make big life decisions like deciding where to live.

The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that ChatGPT Plus, Teams and Enterprise users are getting expanded usage limits, with 100 minutes of ChatGPT-o3 usage per week and 300 minutes of ChatGPT o4-mini per day.

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Categories: Technology

Apple's new iPhone 16 ad encourages you to go case-free – here’s why that’s still a bad idea

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:49
  • Apple has posted a new iPhone 16 ad spot online
  • The clip shows off the toughened Ceramic Shield glass
  • A case is probably still a good idea though

Apple's ad spots are always polished, thoughtfully made and worth checking out, and the latest clip to appear promotes the Ceramic Shield covering on the iPhone 16 – suggesting your phone will be protected from drops, even without a case.

The 35-second clip, which you can see on YouTube, is set at an amusement park. A dad hands over his iPhone 16 to a passer-by to take a photo of him and his family, but the would-be photo-taker fumbles the phone and drops it to the floor.

Panic not, viewers: the iPhone 16 in question is protected by Apple's latest Ceramic Shield glass. The youngster in the family goes over and picks up the iPhone, which doesn't have a scratch on it, and the family photo can be taken.

Apple has used this robust, Corning-made Ceramic Shield material since the iPhone 12, but the upgraded version introduced with the iPhone 16 is apparently 50% tougher. It's some welcome extra peace of mind if you use your iPhone without a case.

I'll stick with a case, thanks

While the Apple advert doesn't explicitly state this, the implication is that your iPhone 16 is going to be well-protected from drops, even if you don't put a case on it – but I'm not so sure I'm ready to fully accept that.

Toughened glass is still glass after all, and you don't have to look far on Reddit or social media to find broken iPhone 16 screen mishaps, even from small-ish drops. In my experience, iPhones remain as slippery as ever, and the ground can be very unforgiving.

We're talking about what could be one of the most important, valuable, and frequently used possessions you've got here: your iPhone connects you to the wider world, keeps you informed, stores all your photos and videos, and much more.

The Ceramic Shield is no guarantee against damage – and nor does Apple claim it to be, to be fair – and given how inexpensive and lightweight a lot of the best iPhone 16 cases are, it makes a lot of sense to add some extra protection on top.

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Categories: Technology

Some Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs will be cheaper than others, official prices reveal

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:47
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack pricing has been officially revealed
  • They seemingly cost either $9.99 / £7.99 or $19.99 / £16.99 depending on the content included
  • "Selected" upgrade packs will also be available via Nintendo Switch Online at no extra cost

Pricing for some Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs have finally been revealed, putting an end to some of the confusion surrounding these paid enhancements.

Nintendo has now confirmed, via its US and UK online stores, that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs for both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will cost $9.99 / £7.99 each.

Both of these upgrade packs will also be included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription tier at no extra cost. Nintendo has also revealed that "selected upgrade packs" will be featured on the service, which implies it's not going to be all of them.

Elsewhere, Nintendo UK has confirmed upgrade packs for the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV and Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World will cost £16.99 each. Nintendo hasn't officially revealed US pricing for these upgrades yet, but - as spotted by Nintendo Life - Best Buy has them listed at $19.99 each.

Chances are these two games have more expensive upgrades due to them both featuring sizeable content expansions. Whereas the Zelda games appear to be performance upgrades only, hence the reduced cost here.

It's likely, then, that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack could also fall in that $9.99 / £7.99 price bracket. Exclusive Switch 2 content hasn't been revealed for this upcoming game yet, but Nintendo has confirmed greater image quality and performance for it at the Nintendo Direct presentation for Switch 2.

I'm personally hoping that upgrade pack pricing doesn't fluctuate any more than this. The cost of the simpler upgrades isn't too bad, but I certainly won't be making a habit of dropping 17 quid on some of these others - even if the additional content is substantial.

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Categories: Technology

Control spinoff FBC: Firebreak finally has a release date, plus pricing and edition details revealed

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:47
  • Developer Remedy has shared details regarding FBC: Firebreak
  • The game will launch on June 17, 2025
  • There will be two editions available: standard and Deluxe

Developer Remedy Entertainment has revealed new information about the upcoming co-op first-person shooter FBC: Firebreak in a recent developer livestream.

The game, which is set in the same universe as Control, will launch on June 17, 2025 for PC, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PlayStation 5. It will be available on day one as part of Xbox Game Pass and the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog (for Extra and Premium members).

In addition to giving us the release date, the live stream also showed off a new job - Hot Fix. In Hot Fix, players go up against a supernatural furnace that has gone completely out of control. It features particularly hot environments, challenging players to rely on fans or each other's water cannons in order to cool down.

The stream went on to offer details on the game's pricing and editions. The standard version of FBC: Firebreak will cost $39.99 / £32.99, which seems like a pretty fair price for a multiplayer focused game.

Paired with the availability via Xbox Game Pass and the PS Plus Game Catalog, I don't think it will be a huge struggle to get my friends on board for a session.

There will also be the more premium FBC: Firebreak Deluxe Edition, which comes in at $49.99 / £39.99.

It includes the following in-game bonuses:

  • “The Firestarter” Premium Voice Pack
  • “The Pencil Pusher” Premium Voice Pack
  • Firestarter Armor Set, Apex Revision (Helmet, Body Armor, Gloves)
  • Scorched Remnant Double-Barrel Shotgun Skin
  • Golden Firebreak Spray
  • Classified Requisition: “Firestarter”: A collection of 36 unlockable cosmetic items including weapon skins, sprays, and armor sets

A Deluxe Edition upgrade will be offered to owners of the base game for $10 / £7.

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Categories: Technology

M&S checkout chaos persists as cyberattack fallout continues

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:46
  • M&S facing ongoing disruption after a cyberattack
  • The attack has affected contactless payment and Click and Collect systems
  • It's still not clear if any customer data is affected

British retail giant Marks and Spencer has had to take some systems and processes offline after suffering a cyberattack which disabled contactless and Click and Collect services in stores.

The disruption has now continued for several days, with many stores still unable to process contactless payments, and Click and Collect now paused in all stores.

The retailer confirmed in a statement that in order to protect colleagues, partners, suppliers, and the business, M&S has “made the proactive decision to move some [of our] processes offline”, which would be consistent with the response to a ransomware attack - although its not yet clear if this is the case.

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Retail at risk

Physical stores, the website, and the M&S App are still up and running, but this disruption could be seriously costly for a store as big as this - as operational losses and damage to reputation for stores can be costly.

The retail industry is a common target for cybercriminals, as even a few hours of downtime can cost millions of dollars, making firms more likely to pay a ransom, and therefore more vulnerable.

Earlier in 2025, Walmart membership programme ‘Sam’s Club’ was hit with a ransomware attack that reportedly affected thousands of staff - illustrating the sector’s vulnerability.

“The retail industry is operating on a very small profit margin, and therefore the amount of attention or budget they can give to addressing their cybersecurity posture is usually scarce,” explains Pierre Noel, Field CISO EMEA at Expel.

“To address this, retailers must implement a continuous cyber risk quantification programme. One of its outcomes is to generate and price credible incident scenarios, as well as to identify mitigating controls and their associated costs. This information is very meaningful for senior executives and the board, communicates effectively, and places the responsibility on them to determine which risks are acceptable and which are not.”

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Categories: Technology

Microsoft could be working on the next update for Windows 11 – but 25H2 could end up being a disappointment

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:37
  • Fresh clues about the 25H2 update have been uncovered
  • References in a file mention 25H2 and tie it to preview builds in the 26200 range that were recently kicked off by Microsoft
  • As 26200 is a small increment from previous 26100 builds, it is likely the 25H2 update will be a minor affair in the form of an ‘enablement package’

More clues have been picked up suggesting that Microsoft is indeed working on Windows 11 25H2 – speculation which was first fired up last month – and that it’s likely to be a relatively minor update.

Windows Latest noticed that one of the more regular leakers of Microsoft-related info on X, XenoPanther, spotted what’s apparently a reference to the 25H2 update in a recent preview build of Windows 11.

GE25H2 is mentioned in appraiserres.dll26200=FT_ALL_CompatIndicatorHelper_WritingGE25H2April 23, 2025

The reference to ‘GE25H2’ is present in a DLL file, and that stands for ‘Greater than or Equal to 25H2’ and there’s another mention of 25H2 which specifically connects it to the series of builds numbered from 26200.

Windows Latest has verified this, and notes that the ‘appraiser’ DLL in question pertains to checking whether a PC qualifies for the upgrade. In other words, this is part of the code that verifies whether any given system is compatible and okay to have 25H2 installed.

(Image credit: Future / Jasmine Mannan) Analysis: Probably an enablement package for 25H2?

All of this is in theory, of course, as Microsoft hasn’t said that it’s working on Windows 11 25H2 officially, or even mentioned the name at all.

What Microsoft has told us, back in March if you recall, is that it is making “behind-the-scenes platform changes” in the new preview builds in the 26200 range. And as noted above, 26200 is mentioned and tied to 25H2 specifically in this DLL file.

Those changes being made in the background are theorized to be tweaks to the platform that underpins the desktop OS, which was refreshed to a new model called Germanium with Windows 11 24H2. As another leaker, Zac Bowden, informed us last month, it’s very likely that all this is wrapped up with laying the early groundwork for 25H2, which could be a much more minor update compared to 24H2, which was a huge undertaking (with that shift to Germanium).

The change from the previous 26100 builds to the 26200 range is a small increment, suggesting that 25H2 will be an equally scaled-down update. Indeed, as Windows Latest points out, it’ll probably be what’s called an ‘enablement package’ in the same way that 23H2 was built on 22H2. This simply means any new features (doubtless a small number of them) are already in place in Windows 11, and will simply be enabled by the update.

All of this is guesswork at this point, although with this new leak, it seems just a tad more likely that this is how things will unfold.

The potentially good news on 25H2 being a lesser update is that with fewer changes, there should be fewer bugs, too. The 24H2 update has proven seriously problematic with gremlins in the works partly because of all the tinkering going on deep in the guts of Windows 11 that was required to usher in the Germanium platform.

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Categories: Technology

iPadOS 19 could finally blur the lines between iPads and Macs, but new menu bar rumors sound too good to be true

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:36
  • A new leak claims iPadOS 19 will get a Mac menu bar
  • Stage Manager 2.0 will also come to iPad and iPhone, the report claims
  • There are reasons to be doubtful of the rumors, however

For years, a small but vocal group of tech fans has been calling for Apple to essentially merge iPadOS and macOS into some sort of hybrid operating system that works on both platforms. Apple has persistently pushed back against this idea, but a new rumor suggests that the two systems could soon get even closer when iPadOS 19 launches later this year.

According to leaker Majin Bu, the main changes will take place when you connect a Magic Keyboard to an iPad running iPadOS 19. When that happens, Bu claims that a menu bar will appear at the top of the iPad’s display, giving you a more Mac-like experience.

As well as that, Bu argues that iPadOS 19 will come with Stage Manager 2.0, an update to the multitasking feature that “activates automatically when the keyboard is attached.” Bu states that the new version of Stage Manager will “make managing apps and windows smoother and more productive than ever,” but doesn’t go into any more detail.

As well as iPadOS 19, Bu touched on what might arrive in iOS 19. There, the leaker claimed that iPhones with a USB-C port – that is, those from the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 ranges – will be able to run Stage Manager when connected to an external monitor.

This would extend your iPhone display rather than simply mirroring it, as is currently the case. Bu noted that this feature might come with some limitations, “possibly in resolution or the number of apps displayed at once.”

Big questions remain

(Image credit: Daniel Romero / Unsplash)

Majin Bu has a somewhat spotty record when it comes to Apple leaks and rumors, so their latest claims should be treated with a degree of skepticism. But aside from their track record, there are other reasons to be doubtful.

For one thing, Apple has long said that merging elements of iPadOS and macOS will mean both systems miss out, with too many compromises being needed to make the hybrid platform work. With that in mind, directly porting a macOS element like the menu bar across to iPadOS feels a little too close to the kind of thing that Apple has long argued against.

As well as that, adding Stage Manager support to the iPhone feels incredibly niche, as the number of people who will want to use an iPhone for productivity in this way is likely to be very small.

However, might Stage Manager support on iOS be something that is built for the upcoming foldable iPhone? That device will likely have a display around the size of an iPad mini, where better productivity tools might make more sense.

We’ll have to hang tight on that one, as the foldable iPhone isn’t expected to arrive until 2026 or 2027. But while we wait, iPadOS 19 and iOS 19 are set to land at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. That could be when we finally see if Majin Bu’s claims are on the money.

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Intel confirms upcoming layoffs as new CEO reveals return to office mandate in big shake-up

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:27
  • Intel didn't lay off 20,000 workers after all, but layers of managers are at risk
  • CEO Lip-Bu Tan has also asked teams to remove unnecessary meetings
  • Workers will need to be in the office four days a week, up from three

Despite recent rumors that it was planning to lay off thousands of workers, cutting its headcount by around one-fifth, Intel did not announce such measures as part of its most recent quarterly results.

However, not all jobs are safe, with the company's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan criticizing existing and inefficient hierarchical structures, and alluding to future job cuts.

In an open letter to all company employees, Tan also confirmed Intel would be requiring workers to return to the office, adding that managers should remove unnecessary meetings to streamline processes and boost productivity.

Intel workers are in for a change

"We are seen as too slow, too complex and too set in our ways," Tan said, after hearing from customers. The new leader, who has been in post since March 18, 2025, revealed ongoing plans focused on "flattening the organization," including removing "organizational complexity."

Tan explained that many teams are eight or more layers deep, and the constant upstream reporting can slow teams down significantly. Intel's execs have been tasked with "tak[ing] a fresh look at their respective orgs," which is corporate speak for removing some of the unnecessary layers.

"There is no way around the fact that these critical changes will reduce the size of our workforce," Tan added. The Santa Clara chipmaker had already laid off 15,000 employees in August 2024.

In his memo to staff, Tan also drew attentnion to unproductive administrative work and meetings. "Too much valuable time is being wasted," he added.

Tan's final change – the big one – is that workers will have to spend more time in the office. He described workers' adherance to the existing three-day policy as "uneven," implying enforcement could be stricter for the upcoming four-day policy for in-office working, which will come into force on September 1, 2025.

The news came as the company posted flat quarterly revenue compared with the same period last year, at $12.7 billion.

"I am taking swift actions to drive better execution and operational efficiency while empowering our engineers to create great products," the CEO said in a statement.

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Major Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge leaks reveal potential specs and pricing

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:19
  • Samsung has accidentally shared Galaxy S25 Edge pricing on its own site
  • The leak reveals Canadian pricing, putting it between the S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra
  • Elsewhere, leaked marketing text reveals several possible specs, along with the weight and thickness

Most leaks have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have a price tag somewhere between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and now that’s looking almost certain, as Samsung itself has accidentally revealed Canadian pricing.

As spotted by Roland Quandt, the company made the pre-launch blunder in a promotional offer for the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, revealing that the 256GB Galaxy S25 Edge will cost $1,678.99 Canadian dollars, while a 512GB model will set you back $1,858.99.

Price conversions are rarely accurate, so we won’t bother with them here, but the key thing to note is that this starting price puts the Galaxy S25 Edge between the Canadian starting price of the Galaxy S25 Plus ($1,438.99) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra ($1,918.99). So, the same will almost certainly hold true elsewhere.

This lightweight phone is leaky

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

And this isn’t the only new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge information, as reputable leaker Evan Blass has shared a screenshot of what reads like official Galaxy S25 Edge marketing text.

While we’d take this with a pinch of salt, the source has a superb track record, and the text mentions things like a 200MP camera, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, all-day battery life, a thickness of just 5.8mm, and a weight of just 163g, most of which we’ve heard before.

For comparison, the standard Samsung Galaxy S25 is 7.2mm thick and weighs 162g, but the Edge is expected to have a much larger screen, so if it only weighs 1g more than the Galaxy S25, that’s still quite impressive.

But at 5.8mm thick, it might not be quite as slim as the iPhone 17 Air, which is reportedly just 5.65mm thick. Whether such a tiny difference will have an impact remains to be seen, though.

We should find out just how slim the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge feels soon, as according to FN News (via @Jukanlosreve), the phone will be announced on May 13 and ship globally on May 30.

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Dear Life Kit: I'm not sure about her sexuality. Should I try to kiss her anyway?

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:01

An NPR listener writes: "We've briefly discussed sexuality, but I have no idea how fluid she may be, if at all. " Plus: A woman wants to marry her partner, but his family constantly belittles her. Is the relationship doomed?

Categories: News

Elipson's new compact streaming amp looks like a brick, but kicks like a horse

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00
  • Elipson Connect 2130 Xi is a powerful streaming amp and DAC
  • 2 x 130W, capable of up to 500W peak in mono mode
  • AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP and DLNA with Sabre ES9023 DAC

Some audio components are beautiful, with gorgeous details that make it hard to tear your eyes away. The Elipson Connect 2130 Xi amplifier, it's safe to say, is not one of them – its efforts have been put elsewhere.

The French audio brand – Elipson is France's oldest hi-fi manufacturer, and was founded in 1938 – has taken a very simple approach to the industrial design here by not really doing any of it, preferring to concentrate instead on what the amp can do rather than what it looks like. And it can do a lot.

Inside its compact casing the Connect 2130 Xi has 2 x 130W of Class D amplification in normal mode; Wi-Fi and Ethernet for streaming; line-in and RCA inputs; and a subwoofer output too. And it has AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP and DLNA for local streaming playback.

This amp is aimed more at the professional installer market than the home market – which is why it lacks the visual flair of Elipson's distinctive high-end home speakers – but if you're not fussed about its looks, it delivers plenty of power for high-quality streaming.

(Image credit: Elipson) Elipson Connect 2130 Xi: key features and pricing

The DAC inside is an ESS Sabre ES9023, delivering up to 24-bit/192kHz hi-res audio. And the Connect 2130 Xi works with all the usual streaming services – such as Qobuz and Tidal if you want to get the most from its hi-res support, plus Spotify if you, uh, don't.

The amplification has a PFC power factor correction system that Elipson says guarantees harmonic distortion of less than 0.003% and a signal to noise ratio of over 119dB.

You can run the amp in mono mode to put out 250W RMS and 500W peak (at 8 ohms), and it's compatible with 100V loudspeakers for large-space installations. The amp is also rackable for professional installations.

Final pricing hasn't been officially disclosed at the time of writing but some UK specialist retailers are currently listing it for £659, which is very reasonable indeed, and makes it a super-interesting option for powering the beefier options among the best stereo speakers. The US price is expected to be under $700 (about AU$1,244).

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Scientists say NOAA cuts by Trump undermine improvements in hurricane forecasts

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

The Trump administration is targeting top climate and weather labs for cuts. Insiders worry about the impact on research and NOAA's ability to forecast severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes.

(Image credit: Chandan Khanna)

Categories: News

A moose trek across Sweden pulls in millions of viewers looking for 'Slow TV'

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

Last year, more than 9 million people watched across the world, and executive producer Johan Erhag said he expects viewership will be even higher this year.

(Image credit: AP)

Categories: News

Are you eligible to be the next pope? Find out in the quiz

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

If you've paid attention to pope selection, COVID websites, national defense and libel cases, you'll do great this week!

Categories: News

They say they want Americans to have more babies. What's beneath the surface?

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

Pronatalists believe that modern culture has failed to adequately prioritize the value of nuclear families and making lots of babies. They see powerful potential allies in Elon Musk and JD Vance.

(Image credit: Jess Suttner for NPR)

Categories: News

5 takeaways from the week — from a softer approach on trade to Hegseth in hot water

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

After much volatility because of Trump's trade war, the stock markets responded positively to a softened tone toward both China and the Fed chair. This, plus four more takeaways from this week.

(Image credit: Samuel Corum/Sipa)

Categories: News

The U.S. takes a step towards allowing mining on the ocean floor, a fragile ecosystem

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:00

President Trump signed an order Thursday aimed at making it easier for companies to mine the ocean floor. Scientists and environmental groups say it could harm a fragile ecosystem.

(Image credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research)

Categories: News

The next AI shift: what DeepSeek means for insurance

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/25/2025 - 03:59

The AI landscape is shifting—fast. With DeepSeek delivering ChatGPT-level performance at a fraction of the cost, we’re witnessing the next evolution of AI: one that makes advanced models more affordable, accessible, and industry-specific.

We’ve seen these technology shifts before:

  • Mainframes evolved into PCs
  • On-prem solutions gave way to the Cloud
  • Custom chips were overtaken by GPUs
  • Expensive, general-purpose AI is transitioning to more affordable, specialized solutions

Each transition unlocks waves of innovation at the application level. Now, AI is following the same trajectory, and insurance will benefit immensely.

The future isn’t about building massive, expensive foundation models—it’s about developing AI tools that solve real, industry-specific problems.

From General-Purpose AI to Industry-Specific Intelligence

The real impact of AI isn’t in the foundation models themselves—it’s in how businesses apply them. Large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 are powerful, but they weren’t designed for nuanced, industry-specific tasks. That’s why the next wave of AI innovation will focus on specialized, smaller models that are trained on deep, proprietary data sets rather than general internet knowledge.

In insurance, this means AI that understands policy language, risk factors, and claims trends at a granular level. Instead of generic AI tools that require extensive customization, insurers can now adopt purpose-built AI solutions that deliver more accurate risk assessments, streamline underwriting, and optimize claims processing.

The emergence of DeepSeek highlights this shift. Its ability to deliver OpenAI-level performance at a fraction of the cost is a glimpse into the near future—where AI models are cheaper and more efficient, accelerating the development of vertical AI solutions.

Why the Next AI Unicorns Won’t Be Building Foundation Models

For years, AI has been dominated by companies building massive, foundational models—requiring billions of parameters and millions of dollars to train. But history tells us that when core infrastructure costs drop, application-level innovation takes off.

For example, AWS made cloud computing infrastructure widely available, leading to an explosion of SaaS startups. We’re now seeing the same shift with AI: the real breakthroughs won’t come from those training massive models, but from those applying AI in novel, industry-specific ways.

For insurers, this shift is a game-changer. Instead of investing in generic AI tools that require extensive customization, they can now access affordable, purpose-built AI designed specifically for underwriting, claims processing, and risk management. The next AI unicorns won’t be competing with OpenAI or DeepSeek to build foundation models—they’ll be the companies applying these models to solve real-world problems in insurance and beyond.

The Business Case for Specialized AI in Insurance

With AI becoming more cost-effective, insurers have a unique opportunity to embrace vertical AI solutions that provide immediate, tangible benefits.

For example, AI models tailored for insurance can analyze massive amounts of historical claims data to refine risk assessment and pricing strategies. Traditional AI requires insurers to build custom solutions from scratch—often leading to long, expensive development cycles. With specialized AI, insurers can quickly deploy models that understand their business from day one.

In addition, these industry specific models lead to:

Better Accuracy – AI trained on insurance-specific data provides deeper insights, improving underwriting and claims assessment.

Faster Implementation & ROI – Specialized AI solutions require less customization and can be deployed faster, delivering value more quickly.

Enhanced Decision-Making – AI trained on insurance-specific data can process complex data more effectively, leading to smarter risk management.

Cost Efficiency – As AI infrastructure becomes more accessible, insurers can invest in tailored solutions without the high costs of general AI platforms.

This shift also levels the playing field. Previously, only large insurers with deep pockets could afford AI-driven insights. Now, smaller insurers can harness the power of AI without massive infrastructure investments, making them more competitive in the market.

Looking Ahead: AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Insurance

DeepSeek marks the shift of the next wave of AI—a wave that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and industry-specific applications. History shows us that technological advancements not only make better tools, but they also change how industries operate. Just as cloud computing enabled the SaaS revolution, affordable AI models will empower insurers to make smarter decisions, reduce risk, and operate more efficiently.

The bottom line? The next AI revolution won’t be led by massive, generalized models. It will be driven by specialized AI applications that solve real problems in insurance and beyond. The companies that embrace this shift early will be the ones leading the industry into the future.

Final Thoughts

For insurers, this is an opportunity to rethink their approach to AI. Instead of viewing AI as an expensive, broad tool that requires extensive customization, they should be asking: What problems do we need AI to solve?

The answer isn’t a massive, general-purpose model—it’s an AI solution purpose-built for their industry.

DeepSeek has shown that the economics of AI are changing. The question isn’t whether AI will reshape insurance—it’s how quickly insurers will adapt to this new reality.

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