Technology

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Davis Thompson is out to defend his title at TPC Deere Run.

• AI isn't too good at generating URLs – many don't exist, and some could be phishing sites
• Attackers are now optimizing sites for LLMs rather than for Google
• Developers are even inadvertently using dodgy URLs

New research has revealed AI often gives incorrect URLs, which could be putting users at risk of attacks including phishing attempts and malware.

A report from Netcraft claims one in three (34%) login links provided by LLMs, including GPT-4.1, were not owned by the brands they were asked about, with 29% pointing to unregistered, inactive or parked domains and 5% pointing to unrelated but legitimate domains, leaving just 66% linking to the correct brand-associated domain.

Alarmingly, simple prompts like 'tell me the login website for [brand]' led to unsafe results, meaning that no adversarial input was needed.

Be careful about the links AI generates for you

Netcraft notes this shortcoming could ultimately lead to widespread phishing risks, with users easily misled to phishing sites just by asking a chatbot a legitimate question.

Attackers aware of the vulnerability could go ahead and register unclaimed domains suggested by AI to use them for attacks, and one real-world case has already demonstrated Perplexity AI recommending a fake Wells Fargo site.

According to the report, smaller brands are more vulnerable because they're underrepresented in LLM training data, therefore increasing the likelihood of hallucinated URLs.

Attackers have also been observed optimizing their sites for LLMs, rather than traditional SEO for the likes of Google. An estimated 17,000 GitBook phishing pages targeting crypto users have already been created this way, with attackers mimicking technical support pages, documentation and login pages.

Even more worrying is that Netcraft observed developers using AI-generated URLs in code: "We found at least five victims who copied this malicious code into their own public projects—some of which show signs of being built using AI coding tools, including Cursor," the team wrote.

As such, users are being urged to verify any AI-generated content involving web addresses before clicking on links. It's the same sort of advice we're given for any type of attack, with cybercriminals using a variety of attack vectors, including fake ads, to get people to click on their malicious links.

One of the most effective ways of verifying the authenticity of a site is to type the URL directly into the search bar, rather than trusting links that could be dangerous.

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• Surfshark research found 10 countries imposed internet blackouts in the first half of 2025
• A total of 24 internet restrictions were recorded in the first half of 2025, with India being the worst perpetrator
• Increased internet censorship has seen demand for circumventing tools like VPNs soared

Government-imposed internet restrictions have risen in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. New research from Surfshark identified 10 countries imposed 24 internet restrictions to date this year, up from 20 restrictions across nine countries that occurred in the same period in 2024.

Specifically, statistics from Surfshark indicate that internet users in India faced more restrictions than any other country between January and June 2025. Authorities in India have used Section 5 (2) of the Telegraph Act, 1885, to cut internet access in the event of a public emergency. Five shutdowns occurred in India in the first half of 2025 amid country-wide protests.

Surfshark, one of the best VPN providers on the market right now, has been charting internet shutdowns since 2015. Disruptions range from full internet blackouts to censorship of specific social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to VoIP services such as Telegram and WhatsApp.

Protests and political turmoil are common causes of restrictions

(Image credit: Surfshark)

"Over the years, governments have used internet shutdowns to control and silence journalists, activists, and the public," said Justas Pukys, VPN Product Manager at Surfshark.

Statistics show that local network connection disruptions, which affect a city or region, are more common than national shutdowns. To date, Surfshark has recorded 558 local disruptions worldwide compared to 124 nationwide shutdowns, with protests and political turmoil being the most common causes, followed by elections.

At the time of writing, 24 of 196 countries and territories analyzed by Surfshark are blocking social media platforms and VoIP services with Telegram being the most commonly blocked.

In January 2025, Telegram was blocked in Venezuela for five days, with authorities even looking to block popular VPN providers as citizens attempted to bypass the disruption. More recently in May 2025, Vietnam blocked access to Telegram with authorities claiming the platform had failed to cooperate with them to halt crimes.

During the first half of 2025, two countries imposed restrictions for the first time since Surfshark’s internet shutdown tracking began. Albania issued a one-year ban on short-form video platform TikTok, citing child safety concerns. Authorities in Panama announced a state of emergency due to civil unrest in Bocas del Toro, resulting in a regional internet shutdown.

Rising censorship mirrors growing VPN usage

Surfshark observes that Iran has had three internet restrictions to date this year.

It’s no coincidence then that VPN usage in the country spiked more than 700% in June 2025 as citizens looked to access the internet as normal. This is despite concerted efforts from Iran’s government to block and even outlaw VPNs altogether.

(Image credit: Google Trends)

"Internet blackouts can be dangerous, especially during critical events such as elections, protests, or other political turmoil. Losing internet access makes it harder to stay in touch with family members, access critical news outlets, and share urgent information with the world about unfolding events," said Pukys.

A virtual private network (VPN) takes your device’s internet traffic and routes it through a secure, encrypted tunnel. It also hides your real IP address, allowing you to spoof your location. This means that you can not only sidestep internet restrictions, but prevent snoopers from seeing what you’re doing on the internet.

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July 2025 is set to be a big deal on the new Netflix movies front. After a pretty barren June, there'll be plenty of new movies to stream on Netflix in the days and weeks ahead.

Leading the charge on the best streaming service's new film front is The Old Guard 2, which hit the platform on July 2. You'll need to read on to see if the Charlize Theron-starring action sequel is worth investing your time in, though. Alternatively, you could just switch gears and check out the best Netflix movies worth watching today. Hey, I'm not your dad, do what you want.

New Netflix movies: JulyThe Old Guard 2

Release date: July 2
Runtime: 106 minutes
Age rating: 16+ (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngô, Henry Golding, Uma Thurman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor
RT score: 28% (critics); 44% (audience)

• Watch The Old Guard 2 on Netflix

New Netflix movies: JuneKpop Demon Hunters

Release date: June 20
Runtime: 99 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); PG (UK)
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, with Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Byung Hun Lee
Directors: Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans
RT score: 94% (critics); 89% (audience)

• Watch Kpop Demon Hunters on Netflix

Tyler Perry's Straw

Release date: June 6
Runtime: 107 minutes
Age rating: 16-plus (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Ashley Versher, Mike Merrill, and Glynn Turman
Director: Tyler Perry
RT score: 50% (critics); 70% (audience)

• Watch Tyler Perry's Straw on Netflix

What new Netflix movies will be released throughout 2025?

Happy Gilmore 2 is set to make its Netflix debut on July 25 (Image credit: Netflix )

New Netflix movies will arrive on a more regular basis in July 2025 and beyond. Here's what's on the horizon:

• Ziam (July 9)
• Brick (July 10)
• Almost Cops (July 11)
• Madea's Destination Wedding (July 11)
• Wall to Wall (July 18)
• A Normal Woman (July 24)
• Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25)
• My Oxford Year (August 1)
• Fixed (August 13)
• The Thursday Murder Club (August 28)
• The Wrong Paris (September 12)
• Steve (October 3)
• A House of Dynamite (October 24)
• In Your Dreams (November 14)
• Train Dreams (November 21)
• Frankenstein (November 2025, date TBC)
• Troll 2 (December 1)
• Jay Kelly (December 5)
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (December 12)
• 10Dance (December 2025, date TBC)
• A Merry Little Ex-Mas (TBC)
• Night Always Comes (TBC)
• R&B (TBC)
• The Ballad of the Small Player (TBC)
• The Twits (TBC)
• The Woman in Cabin 10 (TBC)

For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.

What's the next PS5 exclusive?

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Ghost of Yōtei is the next big PlayStation exclusive, releasing in October. It's a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, but stars a brand new protagonist. We've now seen a story trailer that reveals main character Atsu, and the squad of villains she's going to be hunting. So far, it looks to be a very different game to its predecessor, with firearms making a big difference in combat. Hopefully, the game will also feature some PS5 Pro enhancements. If it does, it has a very good chance of landing on our best PS5 Pro games list.

Marvel's Wolverine may not have a release date or even a release window yet, but there are still plenty of juicy details floating around about the upcoming action-adventure game.

Developer Insomniac Games is known for Marvel's Spider-Man, as well as its sequels, Marvel's Spider-Man Miles Morales and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. These games are all fantastic, gripping, and faithful realizations of the Spider-Man fantasy, and show that the studio has plenty of experience when it comes to crafting thoughtful adaptations of comic book greats. This suggests that Wolverine is in good hands and could turn out to join our lists of the best single-player games and the best story games when it eventually releases.

Like Marvel's Spider-Man, we're expecting Marvel's Wolverine to be an action-oriented, story-driven game with plenty of satisfying punch-ups and engrossing cutscenes. However, as creative director Brian Horton put it, Wolverine is set to have a more "mature tone." Given that James 'Logan' Howlett, the titular Wolverine, is known for his gritty adventures and dark demeanor, it makes sense that Insomniac would be aiming in this direction. Read on for more details as well as an in-depth analysis of the teaser trailer.

Marvel's Wolverine: cut to the chase

• What is it? A Wolverine game from the makers of Marvel's Spider-Man
• When does it come out? TBC
• What can I play it on? PS5
• Who is making it? Insomniac Games

Marvel's Wolverine - what we know so far

(Image credit: Insomniac Games)

We don't have a release date or even a release window for Marvel's Wolverine so far. However, it's clear that the game will be a PlayStation exclusive, in much the same vein as the Marvel's Spider-Man games. While it's been confirmed that Wolverine will be coming to the PS5, there's yet no indication that there will be a release for PS4 - a prospect that seems increasingly unlikely as the years roll by.

It's not impossible, however, that the game might eventually be released on PC; after all, Sony exclusives have a track record of eventually arriving on the platform. Marvel's Spider-Man and Marvel's Spider-Man Miles Morales are both available on PC, with Marvel's Spider-Man 2 having followed earlier this year. This suggests that Wolverine could wind up on PC sometime, too, but likely a little while after its initial launch on PS5.

Marvel's Wolverine trailer

Marvel's Wolverine was announced during Sony's PlayStation Showcase in September 2021, with a brief teaser trailer giving us our first look at Insomniac's take on Logan.

The teaser trailer shows a ruined dive bar, with injured men lying on the floor, before cutting to a back view of a man in a cowboy hat and checkered shirt drinking - his knuckles and surrounding area covered in blood. In the background, we see one of the injured men getting up and pulling out a knife. Sensing the assailant, the man at the bar - our hero - clenches his fist, revealing the iconic metallic claws.

The trailer may not give us a look at when it comes to combat or at Logan himself, but it does set the tone of Marvel's Wolverine. At first glance, it appears to be a more bloody, mature alternative to Insomniac Games' Spider-Man series. You can check out the trailer below:

So far, the reveal trailer is the only preview we currently have access to. In the meantime, we recommend keeping your eyes on PlayStation's official YouTube channel for any future updates.

Marvel's Wolverine story and setting predictions

(Image credit: Sony)

Though we don't yet have any concrete details as to what to expect from Marvel's Wolverine, the reveal trailer does offer several Easter eggs which provide some interesting hints.

Firstly, the trailer's setting seems to drop a big clue about when and where Marvel's Wolverine is set. Logan is drinking in the Princess Bar, located in Madripoor (which you may recognize from Marvel TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), which we can see from the bar sign and the Madripoor tourist poster.

In Marvel Comics Presents Volume 1 #1 (1988), Wolverine visits the Princess Bar while hunting down a crime lord called Roche. After wiping the bar floor with Roche's enforcers - who are trying to get protection money off the bar's owner O'Donnell - Wolverine becomes a regular of the bar, under the name "Patch", and even co-owned it for a time. The bar was essentially Logan's home away from home during a period when the X-Men were inactive. Is Insomniac Games hinting that this is the time when Marvel's Wolverine is set to take place? Will we see Logan taking on the criminal underworld? Both seem like distinct possibilities.

Another possible Easter egg is the Radio Lowtown 104.8 poster. Lowtown is a district in Madipoor, so Madipoor as a setting seems pretty likely. It's also possible that the number 104.8 could be a reference to Marvel Earth-1048, the universe in which Marvel’s Spider-Man is set. This seems to suggest that Insomniac's Spider-Man games and Wolverine take place in the same universe, meaning we could see potential crossovers in the future. This could be huge, allowing Insomniac to build an answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe that isn't bogged down in endless sequels and story bloat.

The radio station isn't the only number that appears to reference a specific comic book. The license plate on the bar reads "HLK 181", which seems to reference The Incredible Hulk #18 - in which Wolverine makes an appearance. Does that mean we could see Hulk in Marvel's Wolverine? Again, we certainly hope so.

Marvel's Wolverine - what we'd like to see

(Image credit: Insomniac)

Embracing Wolverine's dark side
While Marvel's Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 are critically acclaimed, they're all pretty family-friendly affairs. This isn't a criticism - after all, Spider-Man himself is, famously, a 'friendly neighborhood Spidey', known for his youthful antics and cheeky quips. A more light-hearted tone suits the character. However, Wolverine isn't all sunshine and rainbows. His backstory and characterization are, comparatively speaking, pretty dark. Wolverine stories are full of angst, betrayal, and, more often than not, bloody violence.

We're hoping that Insomniac explores this side of Logan in the Wolverine game, offering a more mature experience than Spider-Man did. We're not asking for gratuitous violence, but we do think a different tone is necessary. If you want to dig into Wolverine's backstory (depending on when this game is set), you can't shy away from the darker moments of Logan's past. Also, our hero would hardly be able to slash up enemies with his iconic claws without spilling at least a bit of blood. Without a bit of darkness, you'll only scratch the surface of his story - pun intended.

The appearance of other Marvel heroes...
We don't want them hogging the spotlight, but it would be nice to see Insomniac's take on some other Marvel heroes popping up in Wolverine as side characters. The specifics would really depend on the story Insomniac wants to tell, but we're hoping to see some of the X-Men make cameos, including Jean Grey, Professor X, or maybe even Rogue.

...and infamous villains
We currently don't know who will serve as the main adversary in Marvel's Wolverine, but there are plenty of infamous villains to choose from - and we imagine some could appear as smaller roles. We're hoping we could see Logan battling Sabertooth, Lady Deathstrike, or even Silver Samurai. Or, perhaps, we'll see him battling to bring down the Weapon X program that saw him subjected to the painful experiments that gave him his famous adamantium skeleton in the first place.

A Marvel Gaming Universe
Insomniac has done a great job of creating standalone products which have allowed us to meet all sorts of heroes and villains from across Marvel comics. However, now that the studio is stepping away from Spider-Man, it has a chance to flesh out a shared continuity that could offer many of the perks that the Marvel Cinematic Universe boasts, without the bloat. It's a tempting idea, and we'd love to see what the skilled storytellers at Insomniac would come up with if they decided to go down this route.

Marvel's Wolverine news

(Image credit: Sony)

Insomniac still can't confirm if Marvel's Wolverine will launch in 2025
Nearly four years after its initial announcement, we still have no idea when Marvel's Wolverine is launching, and Insomniac Games still can't confirm if it will be released in 2025.

A "full-size" game with a "mature tone"
According to Marvel's Wolverine's creative director, Brian Horton, James 'Logan' Howlett's standalone adventure on PS5 will be a full-size game with a "mature tone". Horton confirmed this in response to a fan on Twitter asking whether Wolverine on PS5 will be "big or a [smaller] 'Miles Morales' size game".

Directed by Spider-Man: Miles Morales creative leads
In a PlayStation Blog post, Insomniac Games revealed that Marvel's Wolverine is being directed by Brian Horton (creative director) and Cameron Christian (game director), who led the creative efforts on Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Respecting the DNA with a fresh take
Insomniac Games has said that, while it intends to honor the "DNA" of what makes Wolverine popular, the studio will be putting a fresh spin on Logan.

"In the vein of our Spider-Man games, our goal here is to not only respect the DNA of what makes the character so popular, but also look for opportunities to make it feel fresh and truly reflect the Insomniac spirit," Insomniac Games wrote in a PlayStation blog post. According to the developer, despite being in early development, Marvel's Wolverine boasts an "emotional narrative and cutting-edge gameplay". We hope the pun was intended.

Marvel's Wolverine FAQIs Marvel's Wolverine set in the Spider-Man universe?

Yes, Marvel's Wolverine is indeed in the Spider-Man universe. Marvel's Spider-Man 2's creative director Bryan Intihar confirmed this during an interview with Kinda Funny Games. When asked whether the two series share the same universe, he responded:

"They're all 1048."

This is a reference to Earth 1048, the universe that the Marvel Spider-Man games take place in. Here's hoping for a Spider-Man cameo in the upcoming Wolverine game then!

Is Marvel's Wolverine coming to Xbox?

Marvel's Wolverine is not planned for release on Xbox. Currently, only PS5 is listed, but like other Sony projects, we could see it come to PC later down the line. Unless Sony's first-party strategy changes drastically over the next few years, we'll never see Marvel's Wolverine release on Xbox platforms.

Will Marvel's Wolverine be PS5 Pro enhanced?

Marvel's Wolverine is yet to be confirmed as a PS5 Pro-enhanced title, but we're betting it'll join the list of PS5 Pro games when it launches. This is largely down do it being a first party title, which appear to be getting upgraded modes thanks to Sony's new console.

When was Marvel's Wolverine announced?

Marvel's Wolverine was announced during a PlayStation Showcase in September 2021. Interestingly, this was the same show that featured the reveal of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which ended up launching in October 2023.

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It's a good day to be a Prime Video user. Right now, almost 30 – yes, 30 – subscription add-ons have had their prices slashed ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025. So, if you've ever wanted to try out of the many bolt-on channels and/or best streaming services that are offered as part of your Amazon Prime package, now is as good a time as any to do so.

Apple TV+ is one I'd recommend checking out, too. Not only is it currently available for just $4.99 a month for the first two months if you bolt it onto your Prime Video subscription – that's a saving of 50%, FYI – but Apple's streaming platform is also home to some absolutely brilliant Movie and TV Originals.

Apple TV+ two-month subscription: was $9.99 per month now $4.99 at Prime Video
Stream Severance season 2, The Gorge, and Stick for just $4.99 per month, down from the usual $9.99. This represents a 50% saving on the usual monthly price, but note that the offer is only available for two months. View Deal

Ready to take advantage of this unmissable deal? Here are four of the best Apple TV+ shows (all of which hold 86% or higher critical ratings on Rotten Tomatoes) ready to stream as soon as you've added Apple TV+ to your Amazon Prime subscription.

Foundation

Seasons: 2
Age rating: TV-MA
Main cast: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Laura Birn, Leah Harvey, Cassian Bilton, and Terrence Mann
RT critical score: 86%

Apple TV+ is home to some of the greatest sci-fi shows of the modern age, and this criminally underseen space opera is certainly among that number.

Based on Isaac Asimov's best-selling book series namesake, Foundation stars Harris as Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian who believes his mathematical predictions can help the human race to avert a 30,000-year long crisis known as The Darkness. The novels follow Seldon's attempts, with protege Gaal Dornick (Llobell) in tow, to convince and later battle against the Galactic Empire, which is ruled by three clones of Emperor Cleon I – Dawn (Bilton), Day (Pace), and Dusk (Mann) – and rejects Seldon's warning-based works.

Foundation has been one of my favorite shows since it first aired in September 2021. Read my Foundation season 1 premiere review and Foundation season 2 review to find out why. Foundation season 3 will arrive on July 11, so now's the perfect time to binge its forebears and then read my Foundation season 3 review for more on its best instalment yet.

• Watch Foundation on Apple TV+

Severance

Seasons: 2
Age rating: TV-MA
Main cast: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, and Dichen Lachman
RT critical score: 96%

If you prefer your sci-fi to come with a huge helping of mystery and a seemingly infinite number of fan theories, Severance is the one for you.

Scott plays Mark Scout, a Severed Floor-based Lumon Industries employee who underwent the titular surgical procedure upon accepting the job. Essentially, the experiment separates a person's work life (this is called their 'innie') and personal life (their 'outie'), and neither persona has memories of what the other does. However, when one of Mark's fellow Severed employees uncovers some nefarious goings-on at Lumon, and a new hire also begins to question what the company's ambitions are, Mark and his cohorts embark of a quest to unravel the truth.

Saying anything else would spoil the workplace mystery-thriller's biggest surprises, so do what I did and go in as blind as you can (ie don't read anything apart from our Severance season 1 review and Severance season 2 review, or watch any trailers) before you stream it. You'll thank me later.

• Watch Severance on Apple TV+

Slow Horses

Seasons: 4
Age rating: TV-MA
Main cast: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, and Hugo Weaving
RT critical score: 98%

If Slow Horses was available on HBO in the US and/or BBC One in the UK, it would be one of the biggest shows around. Instead, this critically-acclaimed Apple TV Original continues to be hugely underappreciated by fans of small-screen entertainment.

Based on Mick Herron's 'Slough House' book series, it follows Oldman's Jackson Lamb, a grouchy, lazy, unkempt, and sarcastic individual who heads up a division at MI5 where screw-ups, such as Lowden's River Cartwright, are sent if they botch an important mission and/or fail their espionage-based training program.

Fans of spy-thriller stories will absolutely love Slow Horses for its eclectic cast of characters, meaty and electrifying narratives, quintessentially British humor, and stylish action sequences. Do me a favor and watch its first four seasons immediately. With Slow Horses season 5 set to premiere in September, and two more seasons already in the works, Lamb and company aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

• Watch Slow Horses on Apple TV+

Ted Lasso

Seasons: 3
Age rating: TV-MA
Main cast: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Brendan Hunt, Phil Dunster, and Nick Mohammed
RT critical score: 96%

The first Apple TV Original to become a worldwide hit, Ted Lasso is a sports comedy-drama that won the hearts and minds of soccer (and non-soccer) fans after it premiered in August 2020. In it, Sudeikis plays the titular character who stuns the soccer world when he becomes the new manager of relegation-threatened AFC Richmond.

A fan-favorite and multi-award-winning series that became a global phenomenon, Ted Lasso was the feel-good show we all needed amid the height of the pandemic. You'll laugh, cry, and cheer as the eponymous head coach makes his players, the soccer world, and viewers alike believe in his unorthodox management skills, the power of positivity, and fatherly demeanor.

Seasons 1 to 3 are available to stream right now, so be sure to read my Ted Lasso season 2 review and Ted Lasso season 3 review before you watch those installments. With Ted Lasso season 4 also in early development, there's no better time to watch this perfect hattrick of goal-den TV fare.

• Stream Ted Lasso on Apple TV+

Editor's Note: EA recently cancelled work on the new Black Panther game, and shuttered developer Cliffhanger Games. As such, it's not coming out, but you can still find info on everything announced on the game in this article.

A new Black Panther game is in the works over at Cliffhanger Games, a new outfit under the EA banner. After a couple of years of rumors swirling around the internet, EA finally announced its Black Panther game, alongside some details on what to expect. Since then, we've not heard much at all, and we've even seen a completely different game featuring Black Panther announced.

While information is admittedly light at the moment on the Black Panther game, we do know that it is being worked on by developers that previously led the Shadow of Mordor game series. With such pedigree behind it, Black Panther certainly has a great chance at landing among the best superhero games when it eventually launches.

It could be a while before we hear more on Black Panther, so while we wait, here's everything revealed about the game so far. This includes a look at what's been said about gameplay, and all of the latest news.

Black Panther - cut to the chase

• What is it? The untitled Black Panther game from EA
• When’s does it come out? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC

Black Panther gameplay details revealed

So far, we've yet to see gameplay of the new Black Panther game from EA. There is some information buried in the announcement for the game, which describes it as an "original, third-person, single-player Black Panther game." While there's still plenty to learn about the gameplay, we do at least know that it will be third-person, and action-focused. Hopefully we hear more sooner rather than later.

One interesting tidbit from the blog post comes from project lead Kevin Stephens:

"We’re dedicated to delivering fans a definitive and authentic Black Panther experience, giving them more agency and control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game."

From this, we're betting that Black Panther has story choices, or perhaps something akin to the nemesis system from the Shadow of Mordor games. More info followed in April of 2024, as part of a job listing that suggests the new Black Panther game will be open world (Eurogamer). The advert describes the role:

"Reporting to the Design Manager, the Sr. Technical Designer Sandbox will be instrumental in designing and populating encounters, systems, and gameplay within a dynamic and evolving open world,"

This all means that the game could still be in early development, though it does at least suggest that the team is currently designing it around an open-world system.

New Black Panther game setting

Could EA's Black Panther draw inspiration from the MCU? (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney)

What we do know about the new Black Panther game is that it is set in Wakanda. The in-game world of Wakanda is described as a "rich Super Hero sandbox." This could mean more of an open-world, or something slightly more constrained. The aforementioned blog post also outlines Cliffhanger Games' plans for Wakanda:

"As we begin this remarkable journey, we are excited to be working with Marvel Games to ensure that we craft every aspect of Wakanda, its technology, its heroes, and our own original story with the attention to detail and authenticity that the world of Black Panther deserves."

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• By using Nim, miscreants are able to bypass traditional AV measures
• They approach their victims on Telegram and invite them to a Zoom meeting
• The malware steals sensitive data and crypto tokens

North Koreans are targeting Mac users with brand new malware in an attempt to steal cryptocurrency and other sensitive data, experts have warned.

Security researchers from SentinelLabs discovered NimDoor, a unique backdoor malware written in a lesser-known programming language called Nim, which they attributed to North Korea state-sponsored adversaries engaged primarily in cryptocurrency theft, which is then used to fund both its state apparatus and its weapons program.

Nim is used, first and foremost, to evade detection. The backdoor also uses AppleScript for beaconing and asynchronous sleep timers, tricking traditional security measures and maintaining persistence.

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Alarming evolution

The attack usually starts on Telegram, where victims are approached by a seemingly trusted contact and invited to a fake Zoom meeting.

The link redirects the victim to a spoofed Zoom page that prompts them to install an update in order to participate in the call. Instead of the update, the victims are dropped the malicious payload, which steals all sorts of sensitive data, from browsing history, search activity, cookies, Telegram data, to Keychain passwords.

“This represents an alarming evolution in North Korean cyber capabilities, particularly because it specifically exploits the growing remote-working trend and Mac users' perceived lower vulnerability to such attacks,” the researchers explained.

North Korean state-sponsored threat actors are known for their campaigns targeting cryptocurrency and Web3 companies. Among the biggest and most dangerous groups is Lazarus, a threat actor that netted more than $3.4 billion, in different attacks between 2021 and 2025.

Among the biggest heists is the ByBit attack that happened in February 2025, when they stole approximately $1.5 billion in different tokens. Ronin Bridge was compromised in March 2022 for $600 million, while Poly Network lost roughly the same amount of money the year prior.

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Despite having been announced over five years ago, we barely know anything about BioShock 4, and have next to nothing that's been officially confirmed. This is a shame given it's one of the most interesting and highly acclaimed gaming series of all time - and it's been more than a decade since the last game was released.

We do know that 2K Games are publishing it and it's being developed by a studio called Cloud Chamber. Apart from that, we're clutching at straws in terms of where the game might be set, how it might play, what platforms it is going to release on, and so on.

It would be easy to say that we 'expect' to hear something soon, but given the nearly five-year gap since the announcement and now, and the fact that it really is one of the most highly-anticipated upcoming games that's known to be in development, we really do hope that we get something concrete soon.

However, while we wait for more info on BioShock 4, here's everything that's been revealed about the game so far, including some rumors about its development so far. Once new details come to light, this page will be updated.

BioShock 4: cut to the chase

• What is it? The fourth entry in 2K Games' retrofuturistic game series
• When can I play it? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC are likely)
• Who is making it? Cloud Chamber Studios (a 2K Games studio)

BioShock 4 - what we know so far

(Image credit: 2K)

While we're certainly excited for the next BioShock game, we don't actually know when we'll get our hands on it. In a tweet officially announcing a new BioShock game back in 2019, publisher 2K Games stated that work had begun on the next iteration of the BioShock franchise. Here, it confirmed that the game would be in development "for the next several years".

That may not have been the most welcome news, but it did give us an idea about what platforms BioShock 4 would eventually release on. Now that we're deep into the generation of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S - and, by extension, further away from the Xbox One and PS4, we would strongly predict that, given the ongoing wait for the game as well, BioShock 4 will be a current-gen exclusive and not cross-generational.

As spotted by GamesRadar (July 4, 2024), the studio's senior cinematic designer Jeff Spoonhower shared a bunch of open roles on LinkedIn, while also teasing what's to come.

"The BioShock team at 2K Cloud Chamber is ramping up!" the post reads. "We have many positions open across a variety of disciplines including art, animation, engineering, design, narrative, and production."

Given the breadth of roles being advertised here, it's difficult to say whether or not BioShock 4 is far along in its development or not. For now, we expect the game to be re-revealed at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later.

BioShock 4 gameplay predictions

(Image credit: 2K Games)

Now, when looking at or thinking about BioShock 4 gameplay and setting details we are diving head first into a lot of speculation and clutching at straws. However, there have been some clues that we could investigate (read: 'cling to') to try and inform ourselves a little on both factors.

First, to potential BioShock 4 gameplay. The original official 2K press release from 2019 (no longer live or available) did seem to indicate that it would be first-person again. 2K President David Ismailer said alongside that ”We can’t wait to see where its [BioShock's] powerful narrative and iconic, first-person shooter gameplay head in the future with our new studio team at Cloud Chamber leading the charge.” This rather implies that the first-person nature is likely to continue.

BioShock 4 setting prediction

(Image credit: 2K Games)

The settings of BioShock games are always incredibly important aspects. Ever since players first locked eyes on the underground city of Rapture, BioShock games' settings have mesmerized, while also became a core part of each game's story and narrative.

In terms of possible BioShock 4 setting details, there was a lot of rumor floating around at the end of 2021 stating that the fourth game would take us back to a familiar time period. The crux of the rumors was that BioShock 4 would be set in the 1960s and in an Antarctic city called 'Borealis' - and that its story would connect the previous games in the series. While these claims did align with several publications' own sources at the time, there has been no official confirmation or word on them.

Going back a bit further in 2021, there was a strong belief that BioShock 4 would be going open-world due to details stated in some job ads at the time that all pointed toward the design of a bust, crowd-filled, expansive open-world setting. Again, there was and has been no official comment on that.

BioShock 4 developer

(Image credit: 2K Games)

As we know, the studio making BioShock 4 is Cloud Chamber - but who exactly is leading development and has their hands on the tiller?

Well, we know a few people involved - and we've addressed the Ken Levin-shaped question below too. Leading the studio is Kelley Gilmore, a veteran developer, formerly of Firaxis Games. However, with other folks involved who have experience with the BioShock series working on the game too, there is genuine "BioShock DNA" within the development team as Gilmore confirmed in an interview with our sister site GamesRadar+.

When was BioShock 4 announced?

Today, 2K announced the founding of Cloud Chamber, its newest development studio. This team of storytellers has begun work on the next iteration of the acclaimed @BioShock franchise, which will be in development for the next several years.Learn more: https://t.co/L5hMVADxvY pic.twitter.com/SPvVVZoFCQDecember 9, 2019

BioShock 4 was officially announced on December 9, 2019. You can see the announcement Tweet embedded above, which simply states that a new BioShock game is in development, and reveals the team working on it. This is the last official news we received on the game.

BioShock 4 latest news

(Image credit: 2K)

Leaked screenshot gives us our first real look at BioShock 4
A BioShock 4 screenshot has apparently leaked online, giving us what could be our first look at the game since its announcement. Read our full writeup here.

New job listings confirm development is ramping up
After almost five years since Bioshock 4 was announced to be in the works, its developer has officially confirmed it is now properly gearing up and is looking for additional members to join the team at 2K Cloud Chamber.

BioShock movie is in the works
After years of stories about Universal trying and failing to bring a BioShock movie to life, we do know that Netflix now has a live-action movie in the works. We know that Francis Lawrence (Slumberland) is the director and screenwriter Michael Green (Logan, Blade Runner 2049) is also involved. Beyond this, however, we know very little - especially about anything that would potentially tie it to BioShock 4 somehow.

Our guess is that there won't be much of a connection on the whole, with both BioShock 4 and the movie standing as separate entities.

Ghost of Tsushima narrative lead joins BioShock 4
Far Cry 4 and Ghost of Tsushima narrative lead Liz Albl announced on Twitter (opens in new tab) that she would be making the jump to 2K Games’ Cloud Chamber studio as part of the BioShock 4 story crew. This is the latest we've heard in terms of the game's development process.

More job listings suggest the next BioShock will be open-world
In a piece of juicy gossip supplied by a new round of job listings, it appears that Cloud Chamber will be taking BioShock in a different direction this time out, with the developer actively searching for someone "who can weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting."

Another job listing also points to the upcoming BioShock implementing an "urban crowd system" with a "systemic tribal ecology" backed by a "sometimes hostile AI". It's said the person who ultimately gets the job will need to "push the envelope of what is possible with interactive crowd systems".

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UI animations might have revealed the imminent release of a so-called "Galaxy G Fold" device with three screens.

• Microsoft has responded to rumors that Xbox head Phil Spencer will be retiring after the launch of the next Xbox console
• Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, insisted that "Phil is not retiring anytime soon"
• The rumors come amid mass layoffs at Microsoft

Amid mass layoffs at Microsoft, the company has insisted that Gaming CEO Phil Spencer won't be retiring "anytime soon".

Yesterday, the company announced that it would be making swift changes across its studios, which has resulted in massive job cuts that have seen at least 9,000 staff members affected, as well as many game cancellations, including Perfect Dark, Everwild, and the unannounced MMO from The Elder Scrolls Online studio.

Following the major layoffs, rumors also began circulating that the head of Xbox is also set to retire, with Call of Duty leaker GhostOfHope claiming that "Phil Spencer will be retiring from his role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming after the launch of the next generation Xbox" and that Sarah Bond, current Xbox president, would take over the role.

However, Microsoft has now come forward and denied these claims, insisting that Spencer will remain in his role for, presumably, a good while.

In a statement to The Verge, Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, said, "Phil is not retiring anytime soon."

Whether this means Spencer won't be retiring imminently, the statement is quite vague in regards to the rumors. There's also no official word from Spencer himself on his future plans.

Meanwhile, Microsoft communications chief Frank Shaw also took to X / Twitter to respond to the rumors, claiming they were made up.

The next Xbox console is reportedly slated to release in 2027 and is now "fully in production".

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When will we see Ghost of Yōtei gameplay?

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Thanks to a recent PS blog post, we know that a Ghost of Yōtei gameplay presentation is coming in July. According to the developer: "You’ll get an extended look at new and evolved gameplay mechanics, including exploration, combat, and much more." We'll be sure to update this page once an exact date is specified.

Ghost of Yōtei has been revealed, in place of what many had expected to be 'Ghost of Tsushima 2'. It's set more than 300 years after the first Ghost game, and as such, isn't quite a direct sequel.

While it's still early days in terms of Ghost of Yōtei details, we do know that it's set to arrive on October 2, 2025, so hopefully we'll hear more sooner rather than later. The main question we need to be answered currently is whether Ghost of Yōtei will tie into its predecessor at all, and how gameplay has evolved with the introduction of firearms. Developer Sucker Punch has already given us a glimpse at gameplay, and some details on the game's new setting.

It's yet to be confirmed, but we expect to see Ghost of Yōtei make the most of the PS5 Pro as well, making Ghost of Yōtei one of the most highly anticipated upcoming games for 2025. Hopefully, it'll end up on our list of the best PS5 games by the end of the year.

Here's everything we know so far about Ghost of Yōtei so far, including a look at gameplay, as well as all of the latest news and rumors. As new info drops, this page will be updated.

Ghost of Yōtei: cut to the chase

• What is it? The next entry in the Ghost of Tsushima series
• When does it come out? October 2, 2025
• What can I play it on? PS5 (exclusively)
• Who's making it? Sucker Punch (Ghost of Tsushima, Infamous)

Ghost of Yōtei release date and platforms

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Ghost of Yōtei will launch on October 2, 2025 exclusively for PS5. The game won't be coming to older consoles, given that it has been developed from the ground up to run on the PlayStation 5. In terms of a PC release, nothing has been announced, but if we look at recent Sony releases, it'll likely follow the PS5 release at some point.

Ghost of Yōtei trailers

So far, we've only received two trailers for Ghost of Yōtei. The first was revealed during the Sony State of Play event on September 24, 2024. We see the new protagonist: Atsu, as they travel across gorgeous vistas, and take down enemies while wearing a Ghost mask. It's a mix of cinematics and gameplay and can be viewed above.

The most recent trailer followed the announcement of the Ghost of Yotei release date. It sets the scene for Atsu's journey, which sees her hunting down a group of foes called the Yōtei Six. Check it out above!

We'll likely hear more about Ghost of Yōtei in the coming months. To keep up to date with every trailer release for the game, be sure to check out the official PlayStation channel.

Ghost of Yōtei gameplay

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

We've only seen glimpses of Ghost of Yōtei gameplay in the trailers shown off so far. We see Atsu walking through some beautiful locales, a look at combat with katanas, smaller daggers, a spear and even a Kusarigama.

Thankfully, there are some more details on the PS Blog. Atsu will wear a Ghost mask throughout the game, suggesting that she is somehow following the steps of Jin Sakai. This means stealth gameplay, likely with tools, distraction devices, and new abilities. One key difference between Ghost of Yōtei and Ghost of Tsushima is the inclusion of firearms, which will be a core arm of Atsu's arsenal.

The open world can be explored at your leisure, with the ability to set up campfires wherever you'd like. The main six targets can be tackled in whatever order you'd like as well, and there's mention of additional bounty hunting to keep you busy, and your pockets well-lined with coin.

Shortly after the most recent State of Play event, Sucker Punch revealed that a Ghost of Yōtei presentation is planned for July. It promises an extended look at gameplay.

Ghost of Yōtei setting

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)

Sucker Punch is keeping the story of Ghost of Yōtei under wraps for now but we do know that it's set in 1603, more than 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. Players will explore the lands surrounding Mount Yōtei, a towering peak in the heart of Ezo, an area of Japan known as Hokkaido in the present day. The story will be based loosely on history, but is being described as an 'original story.'

Over on the game's official website, there's a brief tease as to the game's main story:

"300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, a new warrior – Atsu – rises from the ashes of her homestead.

Filled with fury and determination, Atsu will hunt down those responsible for the death of her family and exact her revenge. Every odd job and bounty will provide the coin she needs for her journey. But how she fights, survives, and evolves the legend of the Ghost, will be up to you."

Thanks to the most recent trailer for Ghost of Yōtei, we know that Atsu is hunting a group called the Yōtei Six. They're described as follows:

"Sixteen years ago in the heart of Ezo (called Hokkaido in present day), a gang of outlaws known as the Yōtei Six took everything from Atsu. They killed her family and left her for dead, pinned to a burning ginkgo tree outside her home. But Atsu survived. She learned to fight, to kill, and to hunt, and after years away she has returned to her home with a list of six names: The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito."

Ghost of Yōtei: FAQs

(Image credit: Sucker Punch)Is Ghost of Yotei PS5 only?

So far, Ghost of Yotei has only been revealed for PS5. This is due to it being a PlayStation Studios game, headed up by Sucker Punch. It looks as though the team is leaving the past-generation consoles behind, building the game for the PS5 specifically. Even so, we expect Ghost of Yotei to arrive on PC at some point after the initial launch, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

Can you pre-order Ghost of Yōtei?

Pre-orders for Ghost of Yōtei went live on May 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET / 7 AM PT in the U.S., and 10:00 AM local time in the U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. You can get more info on the various editions of the game that are available over on the PS Blog.

Who is the Ghost of Yōtei protagonist?

Atsu is the protagonist of Ghost of Yōtei. She is a brand new character in the series, and at present, we know almost nothing about her. She's definitely connected to Jin Sakai in some way, given that she wears a similar Ghost mask, and looks to be following the same style of stealth/action from the first game.

Is Ghost of Yōtei PS5 Pro enhanced?

Ghost of Yōtei has not been confirmed as one of the PS5 Pro enhanced games. This is likely set to change, as we'd certainly expect a first-party PlayStation exclusive to make use of the PS5 Pro in some way. For now, it's not confirmed, but we're betting this changes at some point before launch, so could be a good reason to read our PS5 Pro review and see if it's worth picking up.

Is this Ghost of Tsushima 2?

Sort of. Ghost of Yotei is a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, but given that it takes place hundreds of years later, and focuses on a new protagonist, it's still being treated as its own thing. This is likely why Sucker Punch went with the title of Ghost of Yotei, instead of Ghost of Tsushima 2.

Ghost of Yōtei news

Ghost of Yōtei gets a release date
Ghost of Yōtei will launch October 2, 2025 on PS5. This was revealed on April 23, alongside a brand new story trailer.

Ghost of Yōtei has been revealed
Sucker Punch has announced Ghost of Yotei, the next installment in the Ghost of Tsushima series. You'll play as Atsu, a new protagonist, in a story set more than 300 years after the events of the first game.

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• Cisco Talos warns of callback phishing scams on the rise
• Phishing emails come with PDF attachments, in which are phone numbers
• Threat actors are exploiting people's trust in phone calls

Security researchers from Cisco Talos have warned of an ongoing phishing campaign in which victims are tricked into calling the attackers on the phone.

In a new report, the researchers said that between early May and early June 2025, they observed threat actors spoofing major tech companies, such as Microsoft, Adobe, or Docusign.

Cisco Talos calls this type of scam “callback phishing” - in the phishing emails, they would notify the victims of a problem, or an incoming/pending transaction, then share a phone number they control, and invite the victim to dial in and address these issues. During the call, the attackers would masquerade as a legitimate customer representative and explain to the victim that in order to sort out their problem, they need to either disclose sensitive information, or install a piece of malware on their device.

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Callback phishing

“Attackers use direct voice communication to exploit the victim's trust in phone calls and the perception that phone communication is a secure way to interact with an organization,” the researchers explained.

“Additionally, the live interaction during a phone call enables attackers to manipulate the victim's emotions and responses by employing social engineering tactics. Callback phishing is, therefore, a social engineering technique rather than a traditional email threat.”

Most phone numbers used in these campaigns are VoIP ones, Cisco Talos further explained, stating that these are more difficult to trace.

The key information, including the attacker-controlled phone number, is shared via a .PDF file sent as an attachment. This is usually done to bypass traditional email security mechanisms and ensure the email lands in the inbox.

As an added layer of obfuscation, the attackers would sometimes add a QR code into the body of the PDF file, since most AV and email protection tools cannot scan that deep. Furthermore, QR codes are usually scanned via smartphone cameras, and mobile devices rarely have the same level of security as laptops or desktop computers do.

Via The Hacker News

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From sleek conferencing setups and smart classrooms to complex control rooms, audiovisual (AV) systems have become an essential part of how we work and communicate. But behind the interfaces lies an often-overlooked risk – security. Many AV systems still run on outdated software and firmware, creating vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit with relative ease.

Because AV equipment is not always seen as ‘business critical’ and is sometimes managed separately from the core IT infrastructure, it is frequently assumed to be safe - isolated on its own network or low risk by nature. But this complacency is dangerous. Many devices operate on older versions of software packages which are not always updated even when new versions are released for the device. This creates vulnerabilities in the system.

Knowing the risks

While hybrid working has brought convenience it’s also increased risk. Remote access may speed up troubleshooting, but it also expands the attack surface. Social engineering attacks such as phishing can trick users into handing over access credentials, especially when awareness is low.

As cyber attackers become more sophisticated, they’re shifting their attention to overlooked entry points like AV infrastructure. A good example is YouTuber Jim Browning’s infiltration of a scam call center, where he used unsecured CCTV systems to monitor and expose criminals in real time. This highlights the potential for AV vulnerabilities to be exploited for intelligence gathering.

To counter these risks, organizations must adopt a more proactive approach. Simulated social engineering and phishing attacks can help assess user awareness and expose vulnerabilities in behavior. These simulations should be backed by ongoing training that equips staff to recognize manipulation tactics and understand the value of security hygiene.

In parallel, organizations that use third parties for remote support should be prioritize partners that undergo independent security audits such as ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus. These accreditations help ensure that strict controls are in place around remote access, including the use of secure management tools and clearly defined policies governing their use.

CVSS – a measured approach to risk

Not all AV vulnerabilities are created equal. That's where the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) comes in. CVSS helps IT and AV teams prioritize their response by evaluating the complexity of an attack, the scope of its potential impact, and its effect on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Vulnerabilities with CVSS scores above 7.5 should prompt swift mitigation. Those rated at the maximum 10 out of 10 require immediate action due to their high severity and low complexity of exploitation. That said, patching these vulnerabilities isn’t always straightforward. In complex, interconnected AV environments, patching updates can introduce compatibility issues that disrupt operations. Organizations should adopt a measured, risk-based approach, balancing the likelihood of exploitation against operational stability.

The severity of breaches also depends on the device and its role. Compromised management interfaces or control code could allow attackers to manipulate systems or access other network devices. Exploited cameras and microphones can lead to breaches of video or audio data, posing serious privacy risks and enabling unauthorized surveillance.

Strengthening AV security

To mitigate the risks posed by vulnerable AV systems, organizations should take a proactive and layered approach to security. This includes regularly updating device firmware and underlying software packages, which are often left outdated even when new versions are available. Strong password policies should be enforced, particularly on devices running webservers, with security practices aligned to standards like the OWASP Top 10.

Physical access to AV infrastructure must also be tightly controlled to prevent unauthorized LAN connections. Where legacy protocols like SCP, SFTP, FTP, or Telnet are still in use, these should be hardened or disabled wherever possible. Encrypting communication between devices using modern protocols such as TLS 1.3, and ensuring appropriate cipher suites are in place, helps safeguard data in transit. Similarly, encrypting data at rest, whether configuration files, control code or temporary data, adds another layer of protection, limiting the damage that can result from a breach.

Collaboration is key

Ultimately, security is a shared responsibility. While network teams play a central role in defending infrastructure, leaving all security decisions to them can be shortsighted. Many vulnerabilities stem from device-specific issues such as outdated firmware, default configurations, or poorly managed passwords that cannot always be mitigated by network controls alone. Even a well-configured device can present risks if it’s connected to a poorly segmented or insecure network.

AV professionals, IT leads, and vendors need to collaborate closely, sharing expertise and intelligence to identify vulnerabilities and address integration challenges. AV teams must take an active role by ensuring devices are updated and properly configured before deployment, clearly communicating potential risks and requirements to network teams, and following best practices such as implementing VLANs, restricting unnecessary traffic, and enabling secure management protocols.

By working together, organizations can build a layered defense that addresses risks at both the device and network levels; strengthening the overall security posture and reducing the likelihood of a breach.

AV systems may not be the first thing you think of when you hear ‘cybersecurity risk’ and that’s exactly the problem. From data leaks and surveillance breaches to unauthorized lateral movement across networks, the consequences of ignoring AV security are real. It’s time to treat AV like the critical infrastructure it has become.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

There’s no shortage of ambition around AI in UK businesses. It’s on board agendas, investor decks and product roadmaps. And yet, for all the buzz, not every organization is seeing meaningful value. According to our research, three out of four UK business leaders say they’re falling behind on AI.

It’s not due to a lack of vision. In fact, most businesses know exactly what AI could do – automate manual work, generate insights, scale faster. The challenge often comes down to execution.

Because success with AI isn’t about one tool, one use case or one budget cycle. It’s about the systems, behaviors and product choices that shape how work gets done. And when those foundations aren’t set up for speed, even the smartest AI strategy can stall.

From a product perspective, three recurring patterns emerge: infrastructure that hasn’t kept up, ways of working that resist change and tools that overcomplicate instead of enable. None of these are permanent blockers – but they need to be designed for, not worked around.

Turning legacy systems into launchpads

Most businesses aren’t dealing with broken systems – just ones that were built for a different time. And over years of growth and expansion, those systems can become more tangled than intentional.

45% of UK business leaders say legacy tech stacks are a major barrier to getting real value from AI – often because the systems beneath them can’t keep up. That’s where friction builds: data stored in different formats, tools that don’t integrate, teams working around the tech rather than with it. When AI enters the picture, those gaps matter. It doesn’t just need data – it needs data that moves.

The good news is that you don’t need to start from scratch. Strategic simplification – consolidating systems, integrating platforms, removing duplications – creates the breathing room AI needs to function. It’s about aligning what you already have to work harder, together.

That’s why businesses are moving towards platforms that unify core tools. We see the most progress when customers focus less on overhauling and more on unlocking single sources of truth. When systems are connected and data flows freely, AI becomes less of a bolt-on and more of a multiplier.

Designing change people want to be part of

Our research found that a third of UK business leaders experience pushback when updating legacy systems or introducing new processes. That hesitation is often labelled as resistance – but more often, it’s a call for clarity. People want to understand how AI fits into their day-to-day work.

When AI is introduced without context – or without input from the people expected to use it – it can feel more like disruption than progress. And that’s where adoption often falters.

The real shift happens when leaders approach change like a product rollout – with transparency and feedback built in. That means involving teams early, framing AI as an enabler and showing clear wins that matter to employees: time saved, tasks simplified, better decisions made faster. It also needs commitment from leadership to effective change management and AI empowerment.

Equally important is giving teams the confidence to experiment. AI is an evolving capability. Employees need to feel safe to test, question and shape how these tools work in practice.

It doesn’t always take a huge transformation programme to shift culture. In many teams, the change starts with solving a small, frustrating problem in a better way – and sharing how it’s done.

Keeping it simple enough to scale

Even with modern systems and engaged teams, there is one more barrier that can slow AI adoption: complexity. Not in the concept of AI itself, but in how it shows up in people’s work.

According to our research, 35% of UK business leaders say they’re struggling to bridge this skills gap and give their teams the confidence to use new AI tools effectively. And often, that comes down to how those tools are built – with technical users in mind, not everyday use.

They sit outside established workflows or feel disconnected from the work people are actually trying to do. In resource-conscious organizations, this kind of friction can stall adoption altogether.

Simplicity is all about reducing the time between intention and outcome. The more intuitive a tool is, the faster it delivers value. A well-designed AI system doesn’t just speed up tasks – it helps teams reach clarity faster, with less back-and-forth and fewer dependencies. It also scales better. Tools that are simple to use are easier to roll out, train, and maintain – especially across cross-functional teams.

Creating the right conditions for AI to deliver

UK businesses seeing value from AI aren’t rushing ahead. They’re creating conditions for progress.

That means designing processes that evolve, cultures that stay open to iteration and products that learn alongside the people actually using them. The fact is that AI doesn’t need a perfect environment. It just needs a responsive one – built to both implement change and sustain it.

What matters most isn’t scale on day one, but the ability to keep improving.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Watch Get Out, Companion or another scary flick.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #487).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… ... Let's have a picnic!

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• BARN
• LORE
• BUGS
• STAR
• TRACE
• SNORE

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #488) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #488) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #488, are…

• BURGERS
• SALAD
• COLESLAW
• BRATS
• BEANS
• WATERMELON
• SPANGRAM: BARBECUE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I roared through today’s word search at rapid speed. Most likely because I’m hungry and I’d love a BURGER – not one from a BARBECUE, though. In my experience that’s a bad idea. But also because there was little to challenge us here beyond the twisty-turny WATERMELON.

It may be different in the United States, where people who don’t usually cook have more opportunities to practice burning meat, but in the UK a barbecue is a rare event that usually results in some form of drama caused by drinking in the sunshine alongside a long list of food hygiene infringements.

Again, most likely different in other parts of the world, but the traditional British barbecued burger is burnt to a crisp on the outside and raw, bordering on still frozen, on the inside – and served on a bun that is chemically closer to rubber than bread. Strangely, I don't feel hungry anymore.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, July 3, game #487)

• CHERRY
• COFFEE
• BUTTERSCOTCH
• BROWNIE
• PISTACHIO
• SPANGRAM: ICE CREAM

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.