Latest news with #16
Engadget
a day ago
- Business
- Engadget
Dell's back to school sale includes up to $350 off Premium laptops
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . That brings the price of a specced out 16-inch model down to $2,350. Dell is holding a back to school sale on all kinds of laptops and accessories, and there are some significant discounts on offer. The company's newly-released line of Premium laptops is up to $350 off, depending on the screen size and overall specs. A solid starter computer for students is the Dell Premium 14 base model, which is down to $1,500 from $1,650. It boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The RAM can be increased to 32GB and the hard drive to 1TB, but that costs extra. The standard monitor is a 14.5-inch 2K panel, but that can also be upgraded to an OLED touchscreen. The larger Premium 16 is a better bet for students looking for something a bit beefier. The specced out version is down to $2,350 , which is $350 off the usual price. This one includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, a GeForce 5060 GPU, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The monitor can be upgraded to a 4K touchscreen, but that increases the price tag. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement For the uninitiated, Dell's Premium line of laptops basically replaced the XPS line. These computers keep the elegant wedge-like form factor and feature bezel-free displays coated in Gorilla Glass 3. There's also a newly-designed thermal system that should allow maximal airflow and offer minimal noise. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Teens say they are turning to AI for advice, friendship, 'to get out of thinking'
TOPEKA: No question is too small when Kayla Chege, a high school student in Kansas, is using artificial intelligence. The 15-year-old asks ChatGPT for guidance on back-to-school shopping, makeup colours, low-calorie choices at Smoothie King, plus ideas for her Sweet 16 and her younger sister's birthday party. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The sophomore honours student makes a point not to have chatbots do her homework and tries to limit her interactions to mundane questions. But in interviews with The Associated Press and a new study, teenagers say they are increasingly interacting with AI as if it were a companion, capable of providing advice and friendship. "Everyone uses AI for everything now. It's really taking over," said Chege, who wonders how AI tools will affect her generation. "I think kids use AI to get out of thinking." For the past couple of years, concerns about cheating at school have dominated the conversation around kids and AI. But artificial intelligence is playing a much larger role in many of their lives. AI, teens say, has become a go-to source for personal advice, emotional support, everyday decision-making and problem-solving. AI is always available. It never gets bored with you More than 70 per cent of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a new study from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly. The study defines AI companions as platforms designed to serve as "digital friends," like Character AI or Replika, which can be customized with specific traits or personalities and can offer emotional support, companionship and conversations that can feel human-like. But popular sites like ChatGPT and Claude, which mainly answer questions, are being used in the same way, the researchers say. As the technology rapidly gets more sophisticated, teenagers and experts worry about AI's potential to redefine human relationships and exacerbate crises of loneliness and youth mental health. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "AI is always available. It never gets bored with you. It's never judgmental," says Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old in Arkansas. "When you're talking to AI, you are always right. You're always interesting. You are always emotionally justified." All that used to be appealing, but as Nair heads to college this fall, he wants to step back from using AI. Nair got spooked after a high school friend who relied on an "AI companion" for heart-to-heart conversations with his girlfriend later had the chatbot write the breakup text ending his two-year relationship. "That felt a little bit dystopian, that a computer generated the end to a real relationship," said Nair. "It's almost like we are allowing computers to replace our relationships with people." How many teens are using AI? New study stuns researchers In the Common Sense Media survey, 31 per cent of teens said their conversations with AI companions were "as satisfying or more satisfying" than talking with real friends. Even though half of teens said they distrust AI's advice, 33 per cent had discussed serious or important issues with AI instead of real people. Those findings are worrisome, says Michael Robb, the study's lead author and head researcher at Common Sense, and should send a warning to parents, teachers and policymakers. The now-booming and largely unregulated AI industry is becoming as integrated with adolescence as smartphones and social media are. "It's eye-opening," said Robb. "When we set out to do this survey, we had no understanding of how many kids are actually using AI companions." The study polled more than 1,000 teens nationwide in April and May. Adolescence is a critical time for developing identity, social skills and independence, Robb said, and AI companions should complement - not replace - real-world interactions. "If teens are developing social skills on AI platforms where they are constantly being validated, not being challenged, not learning to read social cues or understand somebody else's perspective, they are not going to be adequately prepared in the real world," he said. The nonprofit analyzed several popular AI companions in a " risk assessment," finding ineffective age restrictions and that the platforms can produce sexual material, give dangerous advice and offer harmful content. The group recommends that minors not use AI companions. A concerning trend to teens and adults alike Researchers and educators worry about the cognitive costs for youth who rely heavily on AI, especially in their creativity, critical thinking and social skills. The potential dangers of children forming relationships with chatbots gained national attention last year when a 14-year-old Florida boy died by suicide after developing an emotional attachment to a Character AI chatbot. "Parents really have no idea this is happening," said Eva Telzer, a psychology and neuroscience professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "All of us are struck by how quickly this blew up." Telzer is leading multiple studies on youth and AI, a new research area with limited data. Telzer's research has found that children as young as 8 are using generative AI and also found that teens are using AI to explore their sexuality and for companionship. In focus groups, Telzer found that one of the top apps teens frequent is SpicyChat AI, a free role-playing app intended for adults. Many teens also say they use chatbots to write emails or messages to strike the right tone in sensitive situations. "One of the concerns that comes up is that they no longer have trust in themselves to make a decision," said Telzer. "They need feedback from AI before feeling like they can check off the box that an idea is OK or not." Arkansas teen Bruce Perry, 17, says he relates to that and relies on AI tools to craft outlines and proofread essays for his English class. "If you tell me to plan out an essay, I would think of going to ChatGPT before getting out a pencil," Perry said. He uses AI daily and has asked chatbots for advice in social situations, to help him decide what to wear and to write emails to teachers, saying AI articulates his thoughts faster. Perry says he feels fortunate that AI companions were not around when he was younger. "I'm worried that kids could get lost in this," Perry said. "I could see a kid that grows up with AI not seeing a reason to go to the park or try to make a friend." Other teens agree, saying the issues with AI and its effect on children's mental health are different from those of social media. "Social media complemented the need people have to be seen, to be known, to meet new people," Nair said. "I think AI complements another need that runs a lot deeper - our need for attachment and our need to feel emotions. It feeds off of that." "It's the new addiction," Nair added. "That's how I see it."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gold, silver touch all-time high in domestic market
1 2 3 Nagpur: Gold and silver prices have reached all-time highs in the domestic market, with the precious yellow metal trading at Rs1,09,000 per tola (10 grams) and silver at Rs1,16,700 per kg. Internationally, gold remains below its 2022 peak of $3,500 an ounce, but a weaker rupee has pushed prices to record levels in India. Silver is just over a dollar shy of its 12-year high of nearly $50 an ounce, with international rates above $48 on Wednesday. Traders attribute the surge in precious metals prices to increased Indian imports ahead of the festive season, coupled with uncertainty over US trade policies and Federal Reserve's rate decisions. In times of economic uncertainty, funds typically flow into gold as a safe-haven asset, with de-dollarization also playing a significant role, they said. Rajesh Rokde, president of Gems and Jewellery (Domestic) Council (GJC), noted that gold prices stood at $3,500 in 2022. On Wednesday, prices hovered around $3,430, dropping to approximately $3,300 as US markets opened on Wednesday and it was night in India. Despite current gold prices being about $200 below the peak, the weaker rupee has kept domestic gold rates elevated. Even in the US, prices are roughly $200 higher per ounce than they were a month ago.
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sligo confident ahead of All-Ireland final: ‘We believe in our own ability and in what we've done since November to get us over the line'
After all, she was part of the Sligo minor side that won the All-Ireland final last year, and was part of the Sligo Under 16 side that was beaten by Kerry the previous year. Last year, Gallagher won an All Ireland Schools Senior B crown with St Attracta's and earlier this summer won a Connacht title with Gurteen Celtic's senior women's team. She's not the only one, several players in this Sligo panel have the valuable 'big match day' experience that will be helpful when it comes to Saturday's ZuCar All Ireland minor 'B' final against Clare. 'We know the feeling of a final,' Gallagher said last week. "We know what it's like and the experience of it. We're used to winning them and we've lost one as well, under 16 with the game against Kerry. So we're just hoping out to really push on and get over the line. "Of course, last year, we got over the line, so we know what it's like and we're just hoping that the same thing for the same thing this year. That's the plan, that's the goal. 'We're all buzzing. We're looking forward to it. We're ready and we're just hoping to get there and put on a show and put on a good performance for the Sligo supporters.' And while Gallagher is expecting a tough game against Clare, she says Sligo have full confidence in their work since November and belief it will get them over the line. "We don't know much about them (Clare). We're sure that they're going to be a brilliant side and they're going to be really good and they're going to be ready. But we've confidence in our ability and in our performances and in what we've done since November to get us over the line.' Kate Smith, who scored three goals off the bench in the semi-final win over Laois says Sligo will be full of confidence going into this weekend's final, particularly after their comprehensive win over Laois. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'It was a good feeling. I suppose we're confident now going into the final with that result. I just hope now we pull through.' On her own contribution to that semi-final victory, a humble Smith added: 'I suppose I was in the place the right time and I just finished them!' For these ambitious Sligo players, reaching another final is what they would have been aiming for at the start of the season. And Gallagher feels it's an exciting time to be a Sligo fan, with underage finals becoming an annual event in recent years. 'Each year we set out our targets and goals and we push towards them, and in the last few years, we seemed to be hitting them, so we're hoping for that to continue in the next spell. It's exciting for Sligo football and everyone involved. We're all really happy with it.'
ABC News
16-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Paris draft agrimen blong mekem Kanaky wan State wetem nasinaliti
Wed 16 Jul 2025 at 7:30am Wednesday 16 Jul 2025 at 7:30am Wed 16 Jul 2025 at 7:30am
