ARM Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life (Terry Pratchett, Jingo)

US Schools Deploy AI Surveillance Amid Security Lapses, Privacy Concerns (apnews.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @11:30PM (msmash) from the closer-look dept.)

Schools across the United States are increasingly using artificial intelligence to [1]monitor students' online activities , raising significant privacy concerns after Vancouver Public Schools inadvertently released nearly 3,500 unredacted, sensitive student documents to reporters.

The surveillance software, developed by companies like Gaggle Safety Management, scans school-issued devices 24/7 for signs of bullying, self-harm, or violence, alerting staff when potential issues are detected. Approximately 1,500 school districts nationwide use Gaggle's technology to track six million students, with Vancouver schools paying $328,036 for three years of service.

While school officials maintain the technology has helped counselors intervene with at-risk students, documents revealed LGBTQ+ students were potentially outed to administrators through the monitoring.



[1] https://apnews.com/article/ai-school-chromebook-gaggle-goguardian-securly-25a3946727397951fd42324139aaf70f



IBM CEO Doesn't Think AI Will Replace Programmers Anytime Soon (techcrunch.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:50PM (msmash) from the how-about-that dept.)

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has publicly disagreed with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's prediction that AI will write 90% of code within 3-6 months, estimating instead that only " [1]20-30% of code could get written by AI ."

"Are there some really simple use cases? Yes, but there's an equally complicated number of ones where it's going to be zero," Krishna said during an onstage interview at SXSW. He argued AI will boost programmer productivity rather than eliminate jobs. "If you can do 30% more code with the same number of people, are you going to get more code written or less?" he asked. "History has shown that the most productive company gains market share, and then you can produce more products."



[1] https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/11/ibms-ceo-doesnt-think-ai-will-replace-programmers-anytime-soon/



Roomba-maker iRobot Warns of Possible Shutdown Within 12 Months (irobot.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:50PM (msmash) from the tough-times dept.)

Roomba maker iRobot has warned it [1]may cease operations within 12 months unless it can refinance debt or find a buyer, just one day after launching a new vacuum cleaner line. In its March 12 quarterly report, the company disclosed it had spent $3.6 million to amend terms on a $200 million Carlyle Group loan from 2023, as U.S. revenue plunged 47% in the fourth quarter.

"Given these uncertainties and the implication they may have on the Company's financials, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the issuance of its consolidated 2024 financial statements," the company wrote.

The robot vacuum pioneer has initiated a formal strategic review after a failed Amazon acquisition, the departure of founder Colin Angle, and layoffs affecting over half its workforce. iRobot cited mounting competition from Chinese manufacturers and expects continued losses for "the foreseeable future."



[1] https://investor.irobot.com/news-releases/news-release-details/irobot-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial



Morgan Stanley Cuts iPhone Shipment Forecast on Siri Upgrade Delay, China Tariffs

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:50PM (msmash) from the broader-implications dept.)

Morgan Stanley has reduced its iPhone shipment forecasts after Apple [1]confirmed the delay of a more advanced Siri personal assistant , dampening prospects for accelerating phone upgrades. The investment bank now predicts 230 million iPhone shipments in 2025 (flat year-over-year) and 243 million in 2026 (up 6%), down from previous estimates.

An upgraded Siri was the most sought-after Apple Intelligence feature among prospective buyers, according to the bank's survey data. "Access to Advanced AI Features" appeared as a top-five driver of smartphone upgrades for the first time, with about 50% of iPhone owners who didn't upgrade to iPhone 16 citing the delayed Apple Intelligence rollout as affecting their decision. The firm also incorporated headwinds from China tariffs in its assessment, noting Apple is unlikely to fully offset these costs without broader exemptions.



[1] https://apple.slashdot.org/story/25/03/07/1833202/apple-delays-more-personalized-siri-apple-intelligence-features



Amazon, Google and Meta Support Tripling Nuclear Power By 2050 (cnbc.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:50PM (msmash) from the shape-of-things-to-come dept.)

Amazon, Alphabet's Google and Meta Platforms on Wednesday said they [1]support efforts to at least triple nuclear energy worldwide by 2050 . From a report:

> The tech companies signed a pledge first adopted in December 2023 by more than 20 countries, including the U.S., at the U.N. Climate Change Conference. Financial institutions including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley backed the pledge last year.

>

> The pledge is nonbinding, but highlights the growing support for expanding nuclear power among leading industries, finance and governments. Amazon, Google and Meta are increasingly important drivers of energy demand in the U.S. as they build out AI centers. The tech sector is turning to nuclear power after concluding that renewables alone won't provide enough reliable power for their energy needs.

Microsoft and Apple did not sign the statement.



[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/amazon-google-and-meta-support-tripling-nuclear-power-by-2050.html



Allstate Insurance Sued For Delivering Personal Info In Plaintext (theregister.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:50PM (BeauHD) from the nice-going dept.)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Register:

> New York State has sued Allstate Insurance for operating websites so badly designed they would [1]deliver personal information in plain-text to anyone that went looking for it . The data was lifted from Allstate's National General business unit, which ran a website for consumers who wanted to get a quote for a policy. That task required users to input a name and address, and once that info was entered, the site searched a LexisNexis Risk Solutions database for data on anyone who lived at the address provided. The results of that search would then appear on a screen that included the driver's license number (DLN) for the given name and address, plus "names of any other drivers identified as potentially living at that consumer's address, and the entire DLNs of those other drivers."

>

> Naturally, miscreants used the system to mine for people's personal information for fraud. "National General intentionally built these tools to automatically populate consumers' entire DLNs in plain text -- in other words, fully exposed on the face of the quoting websites -- during the quoting process," the court documents [ [2]PDF ] state. "Not surprisingly, attackers identified this vulnerability and targeted these quoting tools as an easy way to access the DLNs of many New Yorkers," according to the lawsuit. The digital thieves then used this information to "submit fraudulent claims for pandemic and unemployment benefits," we're told. ... [B]y the time the insurer resolved the mess, crooks had built bots that harvested at least 12,000 individuals' driver's license numbers from the quote-generating site.



[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/10/allstate_sued_pii_exposure/

[2] https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-new-york-v-national-general-holdings-corp-et-al-complaint-2025.pdf



Anonymous Sources: Starship Needs a Major Rebuild After Two Consecutive Failures (behindtheblack.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the rockets-are-hard dept.)

Longtime Slashdot reader [1]schwit1 shares a report from Behind The Black:

> According to information [2]at this tweet from anonymous sources, parts of Starship will [3]likely require a major redesign due to the [4]spacecraft's break-up shortly after stage separation on its last two test flights. These are the key take-aways, most of which focus on the redesign of the first version of Starship (V1) to create the V2 that flew unsuccessfully on those flights:

>

> - Hot separation also aggravates the situation in the compartment.

> - Not related to the flames from the Super Heavy during the booster turn.

> - This is a fundamental miscalculation in the design of the Starship V2 and the engine section.

> - The fuel lines, wiring for the engines and the power unit will be urgently redone.

> - The fate of S35 and S36 is still unclear. Either revision or scrap.

> - For the next ships, some processes may be paused in production until a decision on the design is made.

> - The team was rushed with fixes for S34, hence the nervous start. There was no need to rush.

> - The fixes will take much longer than 4-6 weeks.

> - Comprehensive ground testing with long-term fire tests is needed. [emphasis mine]

>

> It must be emphasized that this information comes from leaks from anonymous sources, and could be significantly incorrect. It does however fit the circumstances, and suggests that the next test flight will not occur in April but will be delayed for an unknown period beyond.



[1] https://slashdot.org/~schwit1

[2] https://x.com/HalcyonHypnotic/status/1898251889239617821

[3] https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/anonymous-sources-starship-will-need-a-major-rebuild-after-two-consecutive-failures/

[4] https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/03/07/0422209/spacexs-latest-starship-test-flight-ends-with-another-explosion



OpenAI Pushes AI Agent Capabilities With New Developer API

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the agentic-takeover dept.)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica:

> On Tuesday, OpenAI [1]unveiled a new " [2]Responses API " designed to help software developers create AI agents that [3]can perform tasks independently using the company's AI models . The Responses API will eventually replace the current Assistants API, which OpenAI plans to retire in the first half of 2026. With the new offering, users can develop custom AI agents that scan company files with a file search utility that rapidly checks company databases (with OpenAI promising not to train its models on these files) and navigate websites -- similar to functions available through OpenAI's Operator agent, whose underlying Computer-Using Agent (CUA) model developers can also access to enable automation of tasks like data entry and other operations.

>

> However, OpenAI acknowledges that its CUA model is not yet reliable for automating tasks on operating systems and can make unintended mistakes. The company describes the new API as an early iteration that it will continue to improve over time. Developers using the Responses API can access the same models that power ChatGPT Search: GPT-4o search and GPT-4o mini search. These models can browse the web to answer questions and cite sources in their responses. That's notable because OpenAI says the added web search ability dramatically improves the factual accuracy of its AI models. On OpenAI's SimpleQA benchmark, which aims to measure confabulation rate, GPT-4o search scored 90 percent, while GPT-4o mini search achieved 88 percent -- both substantially outperforming the larger GPT-4.5 model without search, which scored 63 percent.

>

> Despite these improvements, the technology still has significant limitations. Aside from issues with CUA properly navigating websites, the improved search capability doesn't completely solve the problem of AI confabulations, with GPT-4o search still making factual mistakes 10 percent of the time. Alongside the Responses API, OpenAI released the open source [4]Agents SDK , providing developers free tools to integrate models with internal systems, implement safeguards, and monitor agent activities. This toolkit follows OpenAI's earlier release of [5]Swarm , a framework for orchestrating multiple agents.



[1] https://openai.com/index/new-tools-for-building-agents/

[2] https://platform.openai.com/docs/quickstart?api-mode=responses

[3] https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/openai-pushes-ai-agent-capabilities-with-new-developer-api/

[4] https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/agents

[5] https://github.com/openai/swarm



Geothermal Could Power Nearly All New Data Centers Through 2030 (techcrunch.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the next-gen-power dept.)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch:

> There's a power crunch looming as AI and cloud providers ramp up data center construction. But a new report suggests that a solution lies beneath their foundations. Advanced geothermal power [1]could supply nearly two-thirds of new data center demand by 2030 , according to an [2]analysis by the Rhodium Group. The additions would quadruple the amount of geothermal power capacity in the U.S. -- from 4 gigawatts to about 16 gigawatts -- while costing the same or less than what data center operators pay today. In the western U.S., where geothermal resources are more plentiful, the technology could provide 100% of new data center demand. Phoenix, for example, could add 3.8 gigawatts of data center capacity without building a single new conventional power plant.

>

> Geothermal resources have enormous potential to provide consistent power. Historically, geothermal power plants have been limited to places where Earth's heat seeps close to the surface. But advanced geothermal techniques could unlock 90 gigawatts of clean power in the U.S. alone, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. [...] Because geothermal power has very low running costs, its price is competitive with data centers' energy costs today, the Rhodium report said. When data centers are sited similarly to how they are today, a process that typically takes into account proximity to fiber optics and major metro areas, geothermal power costs just over $75 per megawatt hour. But when developers account for geothermal potential in their siting, the costs drop significantly, down to around $50 per megawatt hour.

>

> The report assumes that new generating capacity would be "behind the meter," which is what experts call power plants that are hooked up directly to a customer, bypassing the grid. Wait times for new power plants to connect to the grid can [3]stretch on for years . As a result, behind the meter arrangements have become more appealing for data center operators who are scrambling to build new capacity.



[1] https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/11/geothermal-could-power-nearly-all-new-data-centers-through-2030/

[2] https://rhg.com/research/geothermal-data-center-electricity-demand

[3] https://www.interconnection.fyi/



Team Behind Las Vegas Sphere Plans 5,000-Capacity 'Mini-Spheres' (avinteractive.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the what-to-expect dept.)

Sphere Entertainment Co, the company behind the [1]Las Vegas Sphere , said they are [2]considering opening scaled-down versions of the immersive venue in other cities . AV Magazine reports:

> While this has been been feasible for its high-profile residencies such as U2, the Eagles, Dead & Company and Anyma, smaller venues could attract a broader range of artists who might not have the budget or demand to fill the flagship Las Vegas location. By scaling down the size while retaining the signature technology, Sphere Entertainment Co can offer a similar spectacle at a more sustainable cost for artists and spectators.

>

> The possibility of mini-Spheres follows news that a full-scale venue will open in the UAE as a result of a partnership between Sphere Entertainment Co and the Department of Culture and Tourism -- Abu Dhabi. Beyond concerts, the Las Vegas Sphere has proven successful with immersive films such as V-U2: An Immersive Concert Film and the Sphere Expeience featuring Darren Aronofsky's Postcard from Earth, which In January passed 1,000 screenings.

"As we enter a new fiscal year, we see significant opportunities to drive our Sphere business forward in Las Vegas and beyond," said Dolan. "We believe we are on a path toward realizing our vision for this next-generation medium and generating long-term shareholder value."



[1] https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/23/07/09/0038244/the-technology-behind-the-new-las-vegas-sphere

[2] https://www.avinteractive.com/territories-news/us-canada/sphere-entertainment-plans-5000-capacity-mini-spheres-06-03-2025/



Solar Adds More New Capacity To the US Grid In 2024 Than Any Energy Source In 20 Years

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the historic-deployment dept.)

[1]AmiMoJo shares a report from Electrek:

> The U.S. installed 50 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2024, the [2]largest single year of new capacity added to the grid by any energy technology in over two decades. That's enough to power 8.5 million households. According to the [3]U.S. Solar Market Insight 2024 Year in Review report (PDF) released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, solar and storage account for 84% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid last year.

>

> In addition to historic deployment, surging U.S. solar manufacturing emerged as a landmark economic story in 2024. Domestic solar module production tripled last year, and at full capacity, U.S. factories can now produce enough to meet nearly all demand for solar panels in the U.S. Solar cell manufacturing also resumed in 2024, strengthening the U.S. energy supply chain. [...] Total US solar capacity is expected to reach 739 GW by 2035, but the report forecasts include scenarios showing how policy changes could impact the solar market. [...] The low case forecast shows a 130 GW decline in solar deployment over the next decade compared to the base case, representing nearly $250 billion of lost investment.



[1] https://slashdot.org/~AmiMoJo

[2] https://electrek.co/2025/03/10/solar-new-capacity-us-grid-2024/

[3] https://seia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USSMI-2024-YIR-ES-Embargoed-with-Watermark.pdf



AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D With 3D V-Cache Impresses In Launch Day Testing (hothardware.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the not-too-shabby dept.)

[1]MojoKid writes:

> AMD just launched its latest flagship desktop processors, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a 16-core/32-thread, dual-CCD part with a base clock of 4.3GHz and a max boost clock of 5.7GHz. There's also 96MB of second-gen 3D V-Cache on board. Standard Ryzen 9000 series processors feature 32MB of L3 cache per compute die, but with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, one compute die is outfitted with an additional 96MB of 3D V-Cache, bringing the total L3 up to 128MB (144MB total cache). The CCD outfitted with 3D V-Cache operates at more conservative voltages and frequencies, but the bare compute die is unencumbered.

>

> The Ryzen 9 9950X3D turns out to be a [2]high-performance, no-compromise desktop processor . Its complement of 3D V-Cache provides tangible benefits in gaming, and AMD's continued work on the platform's firmware and driver software ensures that even with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's asymmetrical CCD configuration, performance is strong across the board. At $699, it's not cheap but its a great CPU for gaming and content creation, and one of the most powerful standard desktop CPUs money can buy currently.



[1] https://slashdot.org/~MojoKid

[2] https://hothardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-9-9950x3d-cpu-review



Microsoft is Replacing Remote Desktop With Its New Windows App (theverge.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (msmash) from the PSA dept.)

Microsoft is [1]ending support of its Remote Desktop app for Windows on May 27th. From a report:

> If you use the Remote Desktop app to connect to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box machines then you'll have to transition to the Windows app instead.

>

> The new Windows app, which launched in September, includes multimonitor support, dynamic display resolutions, and easy access to cloud PCs and virtual desktops. Microsoft says "connections to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box via the Remote Desktop app from the Microsoft Store will be blocked after May 27th, 2025."



[1] https://www.theverge.com/news/627483/microsoft-remote-desktop-windows-app-replacement



Preprint Sites bioRxiv and medRxiv Launch New Era of Independence (nature.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (msmash) from the moving-forward dept.)

A new chapter has begun for two of the world's most popular preprint platforms, bioRxiv and medRxiv, with [1]the launch of a non-profit organization that will manage them , their co-founders announced today. From a report:

> The servers allow researchers to share manuscripts for free before peer review and have become an integral part of publishing biology and medical research. Until now, they had been managed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in New York. The new organization, named openRxiv, will have a board of directors and a scientific and medical advisory board. It is supported by a fresh US$16-million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the projects' main financial backer.

>

> "It's just exciting to see this key piece of infrastructure really get the attention that it deserves as a dedicated initiative," says Katie Corker, executive director of ASAPbio, a scientist-driven non-profit organization, which is based in San Francisco, California. Preprints are "the backbone of the scientific publishing ecosystem, maybe especially at the current moment, when there's a lot of worries about who has control of information."

>

> The launch of openRxiv "reflects a maturation of the projects," which started as an experiment at CSHL, says Richard Sever, a co-founder of both servers and chief science and strategy officer at openRxiv. It has "become so important that they should have their own organization running them, which is focused on the long-term sustainability of the servers, as opposed to being a side project within a big research institution," says Sever.



[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00762-4



Zoox Robotaxis Do Not Meet Federal Safety Standards, Agency Says (washingtonpost.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @12:54PM (BeauHD) from the not-so-fast dept.)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from the Washington Post:

> An Amazon-backed self-driving taxi [1]failed to meet vehicle safety standards because it lacks basics like a brake pedal and rearview mirrors, according to a report by federal inspectors that raises questions about the industry's plans to put a new generation of autonomous vehicles on U.S. roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report was produced as part of a review last year of an unusual vehicle by Amazon subsidiary Zoox that, without a steering wheel or other human controls, has no way for a person to drive. Zoox has asserted that the vehicle's technology, backed by artificial intelligence, complies with the agency's standards. But the NHTSA report documents "apparent noncompliances" with eight safety rules.

>

> The contents of the previously undisclosed review suggest that rules written when autonomous vehicles were the stuff of futuristic musings pose a legal impediment to the industry's ambitions, even as plans for self-driving vehicles accelerate. Zoox has a small pilot fleet on the roads in California and Nevada and says it has completed thousands of trips carrying employees and guests. It is finalizing plans to launch public service in Las Vegas this year. [...] By documenting the apparent noncompliances of the Zoox, NHTSA could be setting the table for a recall, under agency procedures. It is unclear whether the Trump administration will attempt a change in course. The agency said it remains in discussion with Zoox and was "considering all options."

>

> Zoox could have sought an exemption from the safety rules, but NHTSA has never granted one to an autonomous passenger vehicle. Instead, the company self-certified that its vehicle complied with the rules as it raced to be the first company to put a purpose-built robotaxi on the road and claim a share of what could become a multi trillion-dollar market. Zoox's vehicle bears little resemblance to a normal car. The plan is for customers to summon a ride using an app, much like a regular ride-hailing vehicle, getting in through bus-like doors and sitting facing one another. The vehicle navigates itself, seeing the world through a set of cameras and laser-based sensors. It largely relies on its own abilities to drive, but the company says teams of remote operators can seize control to help handle unusual situations. Passengers can call for assistance via a touch screen and open the doors using an emergency release.

"We will continue to support transportation technology innovation while maintaining the safety of America's roads," NHTSA said in a statement.

"Our recent discussions with NHTSA are about mirrors, windshield wipers, a defroster, and a foot-activated brake pedal -- equipment that makes sense for vehicles with human drivers, but not for the Zoox purpose-built robotaxi," Zoox said in a statement. "Our purpose-built design means that the robotaxi can never be operated by a human driver, and our AI driver doesn't rely on this equipment to view the world."



[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/11/zoox-autonomous-nhtsa-safety/



Thousands of TP-Link Routers Have Been Infected By a Botnet To Spread Malware (tomsguide.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:00AM (BeauHD) from the PSA dept.)

The Ballista botnet is [1]actively exploiting a high-severity remote code execution flaw (CVE-2023-1389) in TP-Link Archer AX-21 routers , infecting over 6,000 devices primarily in Brazil, Poland, the UK, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Tom's Hardware reports:

> According to a [2]new report from the Cato CTRL team, the Ballista botnet exploits a remote code execution vulnerability that directly impacts the TP-Link Archer AX-21 router. The botnet can lead to command injection which then makes remote code execution (RCE) possible so that the malware can spread itself across the internet automatically. This high severity security flaw (tracked as CVE-2023-1389) has also been used to spread other malware families as far back as April 2023 when it was used in the Mirai botnet malware attacks. The flaw also linked to the Condi and AndroxGh0st malware attacks.

>

> Ballista's most recent exploitation attempt was February 17, 2025 and Cato CTRL first detected it on January 10, 2025. Of the thousands of infected devices, the majority of them are concentrated in Brazil, Poland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Turkey; with the botnet targeting manufacturing, medical/healthcare, services and technology organizations in the United States, Australia, China and Mexico.



[1] https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/malware-adware/thousands-of-tp-link-routers-have-been-infected-by-a-botnet-to-spread-malware

[2] https://www.catonetworks.com/blog/cato-ctrl-ballista-new-iot-botnet-targeting-thousands-of-tp-link-archer-routers/



Spain To Impose Massive Fines For Not Labeling AI-Generated Content

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:00AM (BeauHD) from the cease-and-desist dept.)

Spain's government has approved legislation imposing substantial fines of up to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover on companies that [1]fail to clearly label AI-generated content . Reuters reports:

> The bill adopts guidelines from the European Union's landmark AI Act imposing strict transparency obligations on AI systems deemed to be high-risk, Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez told reporters. "AI is a very powerful tool that can be used to improve our lives ... or to spread misinformation and attack democracy," he said. Spain is among the first EU countries to implement the bloc's rules, considered more comprehensive than the United States' system that largely relies on voluntary compliance and a patchwork of state regulations. Lopez added that everyone was susceptible to "deepfake" attacks - a term for videos, photographs or audios that have been edited or generated through AI algorithms but are presented as real. [...]

>

> The bill also bans other practices, such as the use of subliminal techniques - sounds and images that are imperceptible - to manipulate vulnerable groups. Lopez cited chatbots inciting people with addictions to gamble or toys encouraging children to perform dangerous challenges as examples. It would also prevent organizations from classifying people through their biometric data using AI, rating them based on their behavior or personal traits to grant them access to benefits or assess their risk of committing a crime. However, authorities would still be allowed to use real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces for national security reasons.



[1] https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/spain-impose-massive-fines-not-labelling-ai-generated-content-2025-03-11/



Vodafone Tells Employees To Follow RTO Policy Or Lose Bonuses (theregister.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:00AM (BeauHD) from the that-escalated-quickly dept.)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Register:

> Vodafone is warning staff in the UK to work onsite at least eight days a month or be subject to disciplinary action from April. Group UK employees were last week sent the "Hybrid Working at Vodafone" memo -- seen by The Register -- to highlight the policy and tell them to expect a year-end conversation with their line manager. "You will have read in Get Ready for Year-End Conversations and a Hybrid Working Reminder [documents] that your line manager may discuss hybrid working with you as part of your year-end conversation. "We therefore want to remind everyone of the Group UK Hybrid Working policy. It's essential that all employees adhere to the expectation of being in the office 2-3 times a week, or at least eight days a month," it states.

>

> "Employees who are not fully compliant with our hybrid working policy by the end of Q1 may be subject to disciplinary action in line with policy. Continued non-compliance with attendance expectations could result in a final written warning, which would mean individuals are not meeting the minimum performance standards and [1]therefore would not be eligible for a bonus in 2026 or in subsequent years in which a final warning is given." Line managers can ask team members to attend the office on a specific day if reasonable notice is given and are advised to set team days to "help teach members to form a pattern." Vodafone has operated a hybrid work policy since 2021 "following the pandemic."

"Vodafone's hybrid working policy has been in place since 2021, with all employees expected to be in the office 2-3 times a week, or at least eight days a month," said the company in a statement. "This allows flexibility for staff, and for them to benefit from in-office collaboration."



[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/10/vodafone_be_in_the_office_memo/



Southwest Airlines To End Free Checked Bags Policy For First Time in Its 54-Year History (cbsnews.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:00AM (msmash) from the how-about-that dept.)

Southwest Airlines boasts that its passengers' "bags fly free" -- [1]but not for long . From a report:

> Starting May 28 -- just in time for the busy summer travel season -- only Southwest's most elite Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers who book their top-tier Business Select fares will receive two free checked bags. Frequent flyer A-List Members, Southwest-branded credit card holders and other select customers will be allowed one checked bag.

>

> Everyone else will be charged for their first and second checked bags on flights booked on or after May 28, the carrier says. It's a break with Southwest's 54 year history -- one that could undermine customer loyalty to the carrier, according to experts. "This is how you destroy a brand. This is how you destroy customer preference. This is how you destroy loyalty. And this, I think, is going to send Southwest into a financial tailspin," airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, of Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. "Southwest, with these changes, becomes just another airline."



[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-airlines-ending-free-checked-bags-policy-many-passengers/



The Surprising Impact of QR Code Menus on Diminishing Customer Loyalty (sciencedirect.com)

(Wednesday March 12, 2025 @06:00AM (msmash) from the closer-look dept.)

Abstract of [1]a paper published on Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management:

> The adoption of digital menus accessed through quick response (QR) codes has witnessed a notable upsurge. Despite potential benefits for restaurant operators, the nuanced effects of QR code menus on customer behavior and experience remain relatively unknown. This research investigates the influence of menu presentation (QR code vs. traditional) on customer loyalty. In two studies, we find that QR code menus diminish customer loyalty (compared to traditional menus) due to perceived inconvenience. This effect is further moderated by customers' need for interaction. Our work is timely in highlighting the negative impact of perceptions of inconvenience on technology adoption.



[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1447677024001190



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