I’m not saying Windows is a terrible operating system, but it’s definitely no longer the one I choose to use on a day-to-day basis. After 30+ years of using Windows in its various forms (starting with Windows 95), I have moved on — but not to macOS! In fact, I’ve switched from Windows to ChromeOS and I’m loving every minute of it. Now, I want to be fully transparent: I admit that I still own an all-in-one Windows PC (currently running Windows 10 because Microsoft doesn’t think it’s capable of Windows 11), and I’m also likely to buy a new Windows PC before support for Windows 10 officially ends. However, my Windows PC only exists as a backup for those increasingly rare times when my Chromebook isn’t right for the task. Most days, my Chromebook is more than sufficient. Here’s why I switched and why I now love Chromebooks more than Windows laptops. Related: The best Chromebooks for every budget Why I switched to a Chromebook Why did I switch from Windows to ChromeOS? There were several factors that influenced my decision. Some may resonate with you, while others may differ from your own experiences. Reason 1: A simpler, less frustrating operating system Dave Parrack / IDG After decades of using Windows in its various forms, I grew tired of how frustrating it has become to use. It feels bloated and slow more often than not, even with a decently specced machine and everything updated. I don’t want to wait minutes for an operating system to fully boot and be ready to use, I don’t want it to constantly grind away in the background doing God knows what, and I don’t want to be troubleshooting it all the time when things inevitably go wrong. I want an operating system that boots on demand in seconds and simply works without fuss or obstacles. I just want to get on with my day and do what I need to do. That’s what I found in ChromeOS. Reason 2: Less stress about malware and security issues Mohamed Hassan / Pixabay Windows has always been the favorite target of scammers and hackers due to its mainstream popularity and the many vulnerabilities that continue to pop up even as older ones are fixed. In other words, while Microsoft has admittedly improved in this area, malware is more likely to hit and infect a Windows machine than a Chromebook. (Windows is riskier to use than macOS and Linux, too.) ChromeOS is especially safe and secure thanks to a range of built-in security features, including Verified Boot (which checks for unexpected changes on startup), Sandboxing at all levels (which ensures any issues are kept isolated), and the inability to run random executables. All of this, combined with the fact that malware creators are less likely to target ChromeOS, means I can use my Chromebook without worrying as long as I’m mindful of best practices for digital security. Related: Can Chromebooks get viruses? It’s complicated, but don’t worry too much about it Reason 3: No system updates that take hours to complete Dave Parrack / IDG Another constant frustration of using Windows that made me look around for an alternative is the seemingly never-ending updates that Microsoft pushes onto users — updates that aren’t seamlessly applied in the background but disruptive to daily productivity. I’ve often heard my PC chugging away as it downloads a massive Windows update, which then prompts me to restart my computer in order to install it. That can sometimes take upwards of an hour. ChromeOS, on the other hand, is such a lightweight operating system that its regular updates are fast, silent, and without fuss. It takes the hassle out of maintaining an operating system. Reason 4: Productivity without spending a fortune Dave Parrack / IDG As a freelance writer and editor, I have the privilege to work anywhere — at home, at an office, at a coffee shop, or even while on vacation. But only if I have a machine that’s light, portable, and user-friendly enough. Sure, there are plenty of Windows laptops and MacBooks out there that fit the profile, but they generally come with higher price tags than Chromebooks. For me, a Chromebook strikes the right balance between usability, performance, and affordability. Related: Don’t go below these specs in a budget laptop Reason 5: I’m already embedded in Google’s ecosystem Dave Parrack / IDG The final reason why I made the switch away from Windows to ChromeOS is the fact that I’m already embedded in Google’s ecosystem. I own an Android phone and I use most of Google’s apps (including Gmail, Meet, Calendar, Maps, Photos, etc.), so it wasn’t a huge leap to ditch Windows and go (almost) all-in on ChromeOS. In fact, the switch has made things easier for me as I now have full access to all of my data across my phone, Chromebook, and other devices. Why I don’t regret making the switch I have no regrets about buying a Chromebook and I have no shame in preferring ChromeOS over Windows. Here are three big ways in which the switch has left me in a better place than before. I’m actually more productive Matthew Smith / IDG The most obvious benefit I’ve felt after switching is a boost to my productivity, and that in turn has improved my work-life balance. As a writer who works from home but also needs the option to work outside of the home at times, a Chromebook offers the perfect blend of power and portability. I can get my work done with little fuss and I can do it from anywhere, without the operating system bogging me down. ChromeOS boots instantly and is ready when I need it Dave Parrack / IDG Despite being a desk worker, I don’t actually have to be sat at a desk for 8 straight hours every day. I have flexibility in my schedule, and that’s why I need a machine that’s always ready to use on demand. Sure, I could leave my Windows laptop running all day and jump on/off as required, but I don’t like the idea of needless idling. Sleep and hibernation modes are also options, but Windows is too sluggish for me when it comes to waking up. ChromeOS offers a more practical and environmentally friendly alternative. Given how lightweight Google’s OS is, it’s no surprise that it boots instantly and can be used at a moment’s notice. Web and Android apps are enough for me Dave Parrack / IDG One of the bigger worries I had when leaving Windows was losing access to all the Windows programs I’d been using for years. However, those fears proved (mostly) unfounded as there are adequate Android apps and web apps to replace the ones I used on Windows. What you may not know is that Chromebooks aren’t just limited to websites and Chrome extensions. A few years ago, Google added the ability to natively run Android apps on Chromebooks, and most apps in the Google Play Store are compatible with ChromeOS. Some work better than others, of course, and there was a lot of trial and error as I sought apps that most closely matched my needs and preferences. But these days, web and Android apps are pretty darn good and you can easily get by except in very specific situations. Related: Why your next laptop should be a Chromebook What you might miss if you switch from Windows to Chromebook ChromeOS works perfectly for me 99 percent of the time, but if you decide to follow suit and switch from Windows to Google’s operating system, there are some things you may miss — and I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention them. Access to your full-featured desktop applications Microsoft While I was able to find suitable web and Android apps to replace most of the Windows programs I previously relied on, some niche programs simply don’t have viable web or Android alternatives. For example, if your job requires that you use a particular Windows-only app — maybe even an in-house app that’s specific to your company — then you may not have a choice. Another example is software that comes in web and Windows versions, with the Windows version being more full-featured or more performant. In that case, switching to the web version might be an obvious downgrade that seriously harms productivity or usability. Therefore, you really have to do your research before making the switch, whether you’re switching to ChromeOS or some other operating system like macOS or Linux. Windows-only apps are a valid deal-breaker. PC games without needing to rely on cloud gaming Dave Parrack / IDG Contrary to popular belief, you can game on a Chromebook — and the experience is far better than you’d probably expect it to be. The caveat is that you can’t just install Steam and play all the same PC games that you can enjoy on a Windows machine. Yes, you can install Steam on Chromebooks now, but not all games on Steam are compatible with ChromeOS. You can also install most Android games on ChromeOS, which opens up a whole world of casual gaming opportunities (along with mobile ports of popular games like Stardew Valley, Dead Cells, and Hollow Knight). Otherwise, you have to rely on cloud gaming services if you want to play mainstream AAA games on a Chromebook. Using platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia’s GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna, you can stream gameplay to your Chromebook… but it’s notably not the same as playing games locally on a high-end machine. If these limited gaming options are a problem for you, then you should probably skip the Chromebook. (Or keep a separate gaming PC.) Related: Are Chromebooks good for gaming? System upgradeability and customizations Framework If you’re a fan of either customizing your system to your heart’s content or upgrading your hardware to stay ahead of the curve, then ChromeOS probably won’t be for you. It’s meant to be a lightweight operating system that works out of the box, not something for tinkering and customizing and messing around in. And while that suits me perfectly, it won’t suit everyone. The same goes for the hardware, as you’re pretty much stuck with what you buy. Thankfully, ChromeOS isn’t at all heavy on resources, so as long as you buy smart to begin with, the hardware should last. Further reading: How to turn an old laptop into a Chromebook Read...

About 10 years ago, a prominent tech executive confidently informed me that computer files would become obsolete. The exec was Bret Taylor, who at the time was building a Microsoft Word alternative called Quip. (He previously oversaw the birth of Google Maps and served as Facebook’s CTO, and later became the co-CEO of Salesforce.) Taylor argued that Quip and other online-first services like Google Docs, Netflix, and Spotify were making file management unnecessary, and that conventional file formats like .DOC or .MP3 would eventually seem as antiquated as the floppy disk. His prediction has, in many ways, proven accurate. File management is now a foreign concept to an entire generation of young tech users, and you have to be a special kind of nerdy to consume media without relying on streaming services. If someone emails you a Word document, you might be more annoyed than if they’d linked to a Google Doc. But I’ve always found the humble computer file to be more than just an occasional nuisance. I enjoy using apps that produce easily-accessible files on my devices, because those files are under my command and can’t be taken away. Not the case with many of the online services we rely on. And this philosophy is gaining fresh life in some tech circles as people reckon with the trade-offs of a file-free future. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Why files still matter Streaming services can remove content and impose new access restrictions on a whim. Facebook and Google have locked people out of their accounts by mistake, rendering photos and communications inaccessible. Useful online resources could one day vanish from the web without warning. It’s all beyond your control. Preserving your own files can be a countermeasure against these kinds of scenarios. But beyond just data preservation, files provide a kind of freedom to choose the best tool for a given job. These days, I do most of my writing in Obsidian, which stores documents on my computer in Markdown format. If Obsidian goes away, or if I ever just want to try a different app, I can open those files in another Markdown editor without having to convert, upload, or migrate. Same goes with photos. I automatically back up my phone’s camera roll to Google Photos, but I also keep copies in OneDrive and on my computer. That means I can try out other solutions (like the offline-first Mylio) without going through Google’s time-consuming export process. Perhaps best of all, a file collection says something about you. It’s an all-encompassing representation of your digital life that—unlike most things in tech—becomes more valuable with time. Dig deep into my computer, for instance, and you’ll find a folder called “OldComputer.” This is one of my most cherished digital time capsules, a treasure trove of forgotten photos, college music projects, early web creations, and embarrassing AOL Instant Messenger chat logs that I apparently thought were worth keeping. Rifling through these old folders evokes feelings that Google Docs and Spotify can never guarantee. Here’s how you can get started Jared Newman / Foundry I’m not saying you need to drop all your online-first services in favor of strict file zealotry, or that you shouldn’t use cloud-based services for backup or syncing purposes. I still use all of those things because they’re useful and convenient. But if you value more control over your digital footprint, consider cultivating a file collection as part of that: Cobalt.tools is a free web-based utility that converts content from YouTube, Instagram, and other online sources into downloadable video and audio files. PlayOn, which I’ve written plenty about on the cord-cutting beat, can save videos from streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Keep an offline archive of articles you find useful. The Single File browser extension can save web pages as self-contained HTML files that are readable offline, and Obsidian has a free web clipper that works in tandem with its desktop app. If you’re a big note-taker, consider apps that store your notes in open formats that other apps can access. Obsidian is one, but there are others, like Joplin and Logseq. It’s not for everyone, but building a music file collection has been one of the more rewarding pastimes I’ve undertaken in the last 10 years. I buy a lot of albums on Bandcamp—which makes artists more money than streaming services—along with the occasional CD, which I immediately digitize. Meanwhile, I’m glad that the idea of owning your files is gathering momentum. Obsidian CEO Steph Ango calls this philosophy “file over app” while Matt Birchler calls it “downloading the things you love“. However you label it, I think the idea is worth cherishing even if big tech execs would prefer that you didn’t. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Read...

About 10 years ago, a prominent tech executive confidently informed me that computer files would become obsolete. The exec was Bret Taylor, who at the time was building a Microsoft Word alternative called Quip. (He previously oversaw the birth of Google Maps and served as Facebook’s CTO, and later became the co-CEO of Salesforce.) Taylor argued that Quip and other online-first services like Google Docs, Netflix, and Spotify were making file management unnecessary, and that conventional file formats like .DOC or .MP3 would eventually seem as antiquated as the floppy disk. His prediction has, in many ways, proven accurate. File management is now a foreign concept to an entire generation of young tech users, and you have to be a special kind of nerdy to consume media without relying on streaming services. If someone emails you a Word document, you might be more annoyed than if they’d linked to a Google Doc. But I’ve always found the humble computer file to be more than just an occasional nuisance. I enjoy using apps that produce easily-accessible files on my devices, because those files are under my command and can’t be taken away. Not the case with many of the online services we rely on. And this philosophy is gaining fresh life in some tech circles as people reckon with the trade-offs of a file-free future. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Why files still matter Streaming services can remove content and impose new access restrictions on a whim. Facebook and Google have locked people out of their accounts by mistake, rendering photos and communications inaccessible. Useful online resources could one day vanish from the web without warning. It’s all beyond your control. Preserving your own files can be a countermeasure against these kinds of scenarios. But beyond just data preservation, files provide a kind of freedom to choose the best tool for a given job. These days, I do most of my writing in Obsidian, which stores documents on my computer in Markdown format. If Obsidian goes away, or if I ever just want to try a different app, I can open those files in another Markdown editor without having to convert, upload, or migrate. Same goes with photos. I automatically back up my phone’s camera roll to Google Photos, but I also keep copies in OneDrive and on my computer. That means I can try out other solutions (like the offline-first Mylio) without going through Google’s time-consuming export process. Perhaps best of all, a file collection says something about you. It’s an all-encompassing representation of your digital life that—unlike most things in tech—becomes more valuable with time. Dig deep into my computer, for instance, and you’ll find a folder called “OldComputer.” This is one of my most cherished digital time capsules, a treasure trove of forgotten photos, college music projects, early web creations, and embarrassing AOL Instant Messenger chat logs that I apparently thought were worth keeping. Rifling through these old folders evokes feelings that Google Docs and Spotify can never guarantee. Here’s how you can get started Jared Newman / Foundry I’m not saying you need to drop all your online-first services in favor of strict file zealotry, or that you shouldn’t use cloud-based services for backup or syncing purposes. I still use all of those things because they’re useful and convenient. But if you value more control over your digital footprint, consider cultivating a file collection as part of that: Cobalt.tools is a free web-based utility that converts content from YouTube, Instagram, and other online sources into downloadable video and audio files. PlayOn, which I’ve written plenty about on the cord-cutting beat, can save videos from streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Keep an offline archive of articles you find useful. The Single File browser extension can save web pages as self-contained HTML files that are readable offline, and Obsidian has a free web clipper that works in tandem with its desktop app. If you’re a big note-taker, consider apps that store your notes in open formats that other apps can access. Obsidian is one, but there are others, like Joplin and Logseq. It’s not for everyone, but building a music file collection has been one of the more rewarding pastimes I’ve undertaken in the last 10 years. I buy a lot of albums on Bandcamp—which makes artists more money than streaming services—along with the occasional CD, which I immediately digitize. Meanwhile, I’m glad that the idea of owning your files is gathering momentum. Obsidian CEO Steph Ango calls this philosophy “file over app” while Matt Birchler calls it “downloading the things you love“. However you label it, I think the idea is worth cherishing even if big tech execs would prefer that you didn’t. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Read...

There’s an unspoken rule in PC gaming that goes a little something like this: “Bar cutting off your right leg, you should do everything you can to maximize your PC performance for games.” Because of that, most gamers don’t want any programs running in the background that could cost them critical frames per second, and that includes their antivirus software. But does antivirus software really impair performance? And should you bother switching it off? Does your antivirus really slow down your game? There’s no doubt antivirus software left to run in the background when you’re gaming can slow down your PC. However, the extent of that slowdown, and whether that has any impact on your game depends on what the software is doing. Our antivirus tests show that your security program is likely to have a negligible or minimal impact on your PC when it’s just doing routine monitoring. In this case, the extent to which your PC is slowed down can be anywhere from 0 up to about 20 percent. From those results we can conclude that the effect on your game is going to be very small, if anything. Then again, tests have also shown that when antivirus software is carrying out either a full or partial virus scan the PC slowdown can be a lot higher — as much as 57 percent in some cases. In this case, you’ve got a much higher chance of your game being either interrupted or suffering from lag as your CPU struggles to keep up with the workload. What does that mean for your game? In the most graphically demanding games, you’re likely to see slower frame rates than usual and longer load times. Temporarily disabling your antivirus software will mostly deal with those issues, but is that a wise move? Is switching it off advisable then? Despite the risk of slowdown, switching off your antivirus software while you game isn’t recommended by security professionals. The reason for that is the reason you have anitvirus in the first place…it’s protecting you from viruses, malware, and ransomware; gaming doesn’t automatically shield you from those threats. Online games typically require you to connect to servers and download files like maps, skins, and special items, all of which can be harboring viruses or malware. These malicious files can even be hidden in the game files themselves. In fact, we recently reported two such cases regarding games available for download on Valve’s Steam platform. Gaming communities are also rife with phishing scams, which many antivirus programs now provide protection against. So, if you can get by with running your antivirus while you game, you really should. What else you can do If you want the best of both worlds — minimal PC slowdown and the protection of your antivirus — the best option is to use an antivirus program made for gamers. These kinds of antivirus programs either have a dedicated gaming mode that you can toggle on or off or are complete editions made especially for gamers, like Norton’s 360 for Gamers. These antivirus programs have a minimal impact on your PC’s hardware since they run lightly off your operating system; they usually suspend things like background scans and notifications, so they enable you to play with the best performance, but still with enough monitoring to block viruses and malware. Pexels: Rahul Pandit If you’re committed to seeing out your current contract with your antivirus software, at the very least you should schedule your virus scans to run at off-peak times when you’re not gaming. Creating an exclusion list for games and files not in any danger of being at risk, is also a great way to ensure your antivirus program is not carrying out unnecessary file checks on critical game files. Remember too to always download your games and game files from trusted and respected sources. You can never quite guarantee that the files will always be safe, but you can reduce the likelihood of a nefarious file getting though. Read...

Apple has unveiled initiatives in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand focusing on cultural preservation through updated Indigenous mapping and educational grants. Read...

Although Google was the first to develop the transformer architecture that underpins modern large language models, it was OpenAI who raised the bar and ushered in a new era with ChatGPT. Google has since been on their back foot with an internal code red, with an intense two-year period of restructuring, layoffs, and rapid AI development work. When ChatGPT landed in late 2022, everything changed. Google, the giant who invented the tech that paved the way for ChatGPT, is now trailing behind. Wired just published a great article detailing how Google was caught off guard and has been trying to claw back into the lead—or at least recover some lost ground—in the years since then. Led by Sissie Hsiao, Google’s AI team was tasked with building a ChatGPT competitor in 100 days. The result was Bard, brought forward by the work of thousands of employees, scaled-down security checks, and long hours. Meanwhile, Google’s Brain and Deepmind AI units were merged, and that collaboration would result in Gemini, the language modeling project that helped salvage the company’s reputation. But the road back to the top of AI has been bumpy. Bard made embarrassing mistakes, Google’s AI search feature gave inaccurate (and sometimes dangerous) advice, and the company’s image generator caused a media frenzy after generating historically inaccurate images. Despite the setbacks, Google has regained some ground. Gemini launched in late 2023 and beat ChatGPT in several tests. The AI assistant is now being integrated across the Google ecosystem—from Gmail to Google Maps—and efforts at “agentic AI” are now underway. But there’s still much to prove. The AI initiative is expensive, energy-intensive, and taking place at a time when Google is at risk of losing significant search advertising revenue due to ongoing antitrust litigation. Internally, many worry about the pace, the workload, and whether this is really Google’s second chance… or the start of something else. Read...

Operations to look into the sinkhole have been delayed but less intrusive methods may be used. Read...

TL;DR: Upgrade your auto with a 10-inch Touchscreen Car Display on sale for $99.97 (reg. $199) until March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.  Your older vehicle may be reliable, but it lacks modern amenities like a display for navigation and media controls. That doesn’t mean you have to get a new car. It just means picking up one of these 10-inch Touchscreen Car Displays. It works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is super easy to install, and you can get one on sale for $99.97 (reg. $199) while supplies last.  What does it do? This display runs on Android 12, so you can install familiar apps like Spotify and TikTok. You can also sync it with your phone and use apps like Google Maps or Waze for real-time navigation. And when you’re backing up, it automatically switches to the rear camera view (camera not included, FYI) with handy guidelines to make parking so much easier. It’s not all business. This display supports pretty much every audio and video format you can think of—MP3, WAV, MP4, you name it. There’s even a built-in speaker, so you don’t have to rely on your car’s sound system if you don’t want to. And if you’re into radio, the FM transmission feature lets you tune in to your favorite stations. You have until March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a 10-inch touchscreen Wireless Car Display on sale for $99.97.  Not many are left.    10? Touchscreen Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support – $99.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: Add a smart display to your ride with this 7-inch wireless car display compatible with Apple and Android, now $75. Are you jealous of your friend’s new car? You’ve probably been eyeing their ride’s sleek display, but did you know you could add CarPlay and Android Auto to your own ride? Grab a 7-inch display while it’s only $74.97 (reg. $139) while supplies last. Yup, there’s no need to replace your trusty ride. This wireless display can be installed on your dashboard or windshield with the included adhesive or suction-based mounts. Your car must have a cigarette lighter for power and a USB or aux input to output sound. From there, you can have hands-free control of your iPhone or Android phone. Dole out commands to Siri and have it switch Spotify playlists, or have Google Maps direct you to your closest gas station. Grab this CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible touchscreen wireless display for just $74.97 while inventory is still available.   7? Wireless Car Display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring Only $74.97 at PCWorld StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

In the future, Microsoft suggests, you may be playing AI. No, not on the battlefield, but on games that actually use AI to simulate the entire game itself. As a first step, Microsoft has developed an AI model, called WHAM, that “beta tests” games early in the development cycle using AI instead of human players. Gamers know that realistic AI can turn a good game into something great, like how the older F.E.A.R. games would realistically model how soldiers might react to a hostile, armed player. Microsoft’s World and Human Action Model (WHAM) takes the opposite approach — it tries to figure out how human players will react in a given situation, right down to a specific frame or setup within the existing game world. Microsoft calls this WHAM by the name “Muse.” The point of Muse’s WHAM, Microsoft said, wasn’t to improve the way NPCs or in-game monsters necessarily reacted to players. Instead, WHAM was developed to make a game “feel right” — not too hard, not too easy, with interactions that felt realistic. That’s something that normally takes hours upon hours of beta testing and evaluating how gamers interact with the environment. WHAM was designed to help automate that, the company said. Simulating video games with Muse’s WHAM Microsoft said Wednesday that it has released the WHAM model to huggingface.com, alongside a “WHAM Demonstrator” to essentially place the AI player in a specific spawn location, and then test and evaluate what would happen if the AI made different decisions. Microsoft also published a paper describing WHAM to the Nature scientific journal, which was made available to PCWorld before publication. To develop the model, Microsoft used about 500,000 anonymized gaming sessions (over all seven of the game’s maps) from Ninja Theory’s Bleeding Edge, a 4×4 multiplayer combat game that Ninja Theory released in 2020 but halted development on less than a year later. Each frame of the session was reduced to 300×180 resolution, then encoded into 540 AI tokens. Likewise, each motion on the Xbox controller, including the buttons, was reduced to 16 different inputs based on the stick direction and button input. Microsoft said that the GIF below was generated by the Muse WHAM. Microsoft Microsoft encoded all of this gameplay into a 1.6-billion parameter model, condensing essentially seven entire years of gameplay into a single transformer. The company also developed smaller models based upon a single map, Skygarden, with 128×128 images used instead, with parameters ranging from 15 million to 894 million. (In AI, a larger number of parameters usually generates more realistic outcomes, at the cost of additional computing resources.) Microsoft then built a concept prototype, known as the “WHAM Demonstrator” — sort of the AI chatbot based upon the WHAM model. In this case, the user was able to “place” the AI player upon a map, in relation to various objects around it. When enabled, the WHAM Demonstrator then sketched out how the “human” player was likely to respond. In this case, the developer could run and then re-run the Demonstrator to see various outcomes, then select an outcome to continue to see how the AI “human” would respond. Microsoft’s Muse WHAM demonstration shows how the model can begin at the same frame and then end up in different places depending upon what decisions the AI makes.Microsoft From its training, Demonstrator understood the gameplay rules and physics, though it took more training iterations to understand that some players could achieve flight, depending upon game conditions. The idea is that the WHAM Demonstrator could be used to run different scenarios from the same starting point. In the Nature paper, Microsoft showed how WHAM, beginning with the same eight frames, could produce 16 widely divergent endpoints, based on the AI decisions that WHAM made. Even more interestingly, WHAM was developed so that users could add additional enemies or objects, and the AI would react accordingly. Microsoft says that its Muse WHAM model is sophisticated enough to react appropriately to changes made, such as injecting another enemy or object.Microsoft Forget fake frames: Is the future of gaming entirely AI? Draw a line through WHAM/Muse into the future, and you arrive at a “game” which is generated more and more in real time using AI. According to Microsoft’s vice president of gaming AI, Fatima Kardar, that’s where Microsoft hopes to go — apparently following Google, which has already demonstrated consistent game worlds from a prompt. “Today, countless classic games tied to aging hardware are no longer playable by most people,” Kardar said in a statement. “Thanks to this breakthrough, we are exploring the potential for Muse to take older back catalog games from our studios and optimize them for any device. We believe this could radically change how we preserve and experience classic games in the future and make them accessible to more players. To imagine that beloved games lost to time and hardware advancement could one day be played on any screen with Xbox is an exciting possibility for us.” Microsoft is also exploring the idea of “modding” games using AI, and making those early experiences available to players via Copilot Labs. Microsoft said, however, that it does not necessarily plan on using AI as part of game development. That will be up to the company’s creative leaders, Kardar said, and any AI work will be shared “earlier on” with players and creators. Read...