Latest news with #assistant
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Busta Rhymes fires back at former assistant over lawsuit
Busta Rhymes has accused his former assistant of trying to "damage [his] reputation" and has vowed to launch a counter-suit against him.
Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Times
High taxes, a recession: my fears for young job hunters in Scotland
I started employing my latest assistant in March this year and for reliability, productivity, speed and all-round knowledge, he's hard to beat. Unfailingly polite and endlessly resourceful, he's settled into my small in-house team of seven with ease. Everyone loves him. Although he is only five months old and his background is unknown, he's already indispensable. He is, of course, one of the new autonomous artificial intelligence agents — otherwise known as agentic AI. This is one of the first publicly available AI agents capable of independent planning, decision-making and real-world task execution without requiring detailed human oversight. In beta mode and available by invitation only — codes were changing hands for $1,000 recently — it is a glimpse of a future that is awe-inspiring and terrifying in equal measure. For the time being, I'm ignoring the fact that I've had to hand over a lot of personal information to gain access (admittedly much of it already available online) and that very little is known about the Chinese start-up behind the technology. It is simply too valuable a tool and I'm already hooked. Agentic AI is turbocharging technical aspects of my business that other AI tools simply can't reach. I'm an optimist about the advent of AI. Or I should say, I'm an optimist about humanity. Such tools can, and are, being used for destructive purposes. But this is the best argument for not withdrawing from research. If the good guys slow down, they simply hand advantage to the bad actors. I understand the arguments against AI that end with humanity facing Armageddon. But mankind is perfectly capable of orchestrating its own destruction without the use of artificial intelligence. We just have to look at Gaza and Ukraine to be reminded of the depth of human depravity. Meanwhile AI is already saving lives. All progress has provoked moral panic. From the coming of the railways to Elvis wiggling his hips. And while my new AI assistant sometimes leaves me feeling like an 18th-century peasant contemplating the wonders of the internal combustion engine, I know that it is actual intelligence combined with AI that gives us the breakthroughs and competitive edge we need. While the AI assistant can code, I still need to employ my full-stack developer to implement, evaluate and interpret the results. But what is certainly true is that AI is contributing to an upcoming economic upheaval for which Scotland is wholly unprepared. A toxic combination of political decisions by the Labour government at Westminster and the SNP government in Scotland, a mental health crisis among millennials and Gen Zs and weak economic growth have the potential to tip the country into recession. This month, the accountancy firm EY reported that Scotland's high income tax rates were seen as the main barrier to expansion in Scotland's financial services industry, which contributes about 10 per cent of the Scottish economy by value. All Scottish workers earning more than £30,318 pay more income tax than their English counterparts and the highest band is set at 48 per cent for Scotland compared with 45 per cent for the rest of the UK. The job market is being squeezed from both ends. According to McKinsey & Co, the number of job vacancies online fell by 31 per cent in the three months to May, compared with the same period in 2022, the year that ChatGPT was launched. Research from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation revealed that hiring fell in June at the fastest pace in almost two years. Sluggish growth and higher interest rates have been blamed but in occupations at entry level across all industries, including graduate traineeships and apprentices, jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate. The last apprentice I hired was unable to address an envelope and had no idea what a stamp was. She had a HNC in 'collective dance, specialising in hip-hop' and was about as prepared for the world of work as your average pigeon. She lasted three months. Somebody within the education system had let her down badly. Young people will be most seriously affected by the storm that is coming. They are also the group facing the biggest mental health crisis. In Scotland more than one million adults report that anxiety interferes with daily life. Gen Z and young millennials lose up to 60 days of productivity per year due to mental health issues compared with 36 days for older colleagues. The number of Scots out of work because of sickness and disability is at its highest level in 20 years and the number claiming disability payments in Scotland is set to almost double by 2030. Labour's plans under the Employment Rights Bill to remove the two-year qualifying period for key rights such as protection against unfair dismissal, parental leave and statutory sick pay, mean that many SMEs will not risk hiring staff without experience or a track record. That's if the SMEs stay in business. Confidence is at a low ebb. One in five small businesses believe they will be forced out of business if conditions don't improve. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, 27 per cent of business owners believe their company will downsize, be sold or close in the next 12 months. For the first time in 15 years, pessimism has outweighed optimism. Even profitable SMEs wonder if the juice is still worth the squeeze. The government is not protecting the jobs we do have. The closure of the Grangemouth refinery and the threat by bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis to move Scottish production to Scarborough could lead to 400 jobs lost in the Falkirk area. Add in jobs lost in the supply chain and the number rises to four figures. Both companies have foreign ownership, which rather dampens enthusiasm for the SNP government's boast that Scotland punches above its weight for inward investment. The Grangemouth closure and a sharp fall in manufacturing output drove a 0.4 per cent GDP decline in the three months up to May. About 80 per cent of leisure and hospitality businesses believe the Scottish economy will decline this year. John Swinney has mentioned a possible Scottish recession, blaming US tariffs. Even without a recession, growth is weak and Scottish economic activity is fragile. Even boom sectors such as renewables are facing cuts. At least one of the country's largest employers has just cut nearly all its graduate jobs for the present cohort reaching the end of their two-year training stint. Recent recessions have not brought the same level of job losses that the UK experienced in the 1990s and before. But that is set to change, and we are not prepared. This will affect a generation, already struggling post-pandemic, for most of their lives. The Scottish government has deliberately and negligently failed to promote the nation's economic wellbeing at the expense of ideology which a majority of voters do not share. As Harold Macmillan pointed out, it is 'events, dear boy' that bring down governments. But it is policy decisions that cripple countries.
Washington Post
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Manager's affair causes chaos in the office
Dear Eric: I work at a small bank with nine co-workers, including myself. We have a dilemma going on in the office. The president and his assistant are sleeping together. They were caught on video after hours in the office. They also rush a few of us out of the office at the end of the day and stay back to do who knows what. They have been confronted by one co-worker to stop doing their mess in the office and that everyone, with the exception of one person who was just hired, knows what they're doing. They also take multi-hour lunch breaks every day. The problem is the other co-workers are salaried, with the exception of one, and some are taking advantage of work hours. They're always leaving early by one hour or coming in late and the president doesn't say anything because he's afraid of them going to HR and letting them know what he has done. This leaves some of the other employees, who don't abuse their time, reeling and wanting to go to HR, but it would probably shut the whole office down because no one here is capable of taking over. So, are we just out of luck, or do we say something? — Helpless Helpless: You have to say something to HR. This is a mess and the mess — not the whistleblowing — is endangering your job and your customers' well-being. Human Resources is not going to shut down your office. However, it may become necessary for the president to be replaced. If that's the case, there are people who are trained as interim or crisis leaders who can step in and help right the ship. Being a part of a small office can sometimes make it harder to call out bad behavior because there's a fear of being labeled 'not a team player' or creating huge waves in a small pond. But the waves are already there. The workplace is toxic. The president of your bank is clearly not exercising good judgment. What you need is someone or something that will calm the seas. That's where HR can step in. Dear Eric: I am recently widowed and have been living in our home in our quiet neighborhood for more than 50 years. My husband and I had a friendship with a female neighbor for five years or so. When Jack became ill and close to death, Mary became very helpful to me. We used to email each other every day. I told her I had traded my car for a small luxury SUV. What I got was 'well, I hope you feel good about yourself.' The daily emails fell off and I asked why. She said we are from two different worlds and are very different people and then proceeded to evaluate my character. She said she couldn't understand why I complained about the workers I had called to the house to do things for me. I didn't complain about them; I was just surprised by the cost. The man who came and removed furniture for Jack's hospice had an obnoxious smelling cologne that I mentioned to her, and she reacted by asking how I could think ill of someone who had done something so kind for me. I told her I was done with this assessment of my character. I feel bad about all this, but I didn't start it. Mary is in poor financial condition and I'm not, so maybe this is envy of some sort? Though I feel badly, I'm not inclined to fix what I thought was a friendship. Am I wrong? — Lost Friend Friend: An unsolicited character critique is not good friend behavior. Now, those who are close to us can sometimes see things about us that we can improve. And, with permission, they can share them. But that's not what Mary is doing. It sounds like she's working through some resentments — perhaps about money, perhaps about class, perhaps about something else entirely. But it's up to her to be up-front with that, rather than resorting to passive-aggression. If you want to see if there's something to resurrect in this friendship, you tell her, 'something changed in our relationship, and I'd like to talk about why. Are you open to having a conversation about it?' You'll both want to use 'I' statements — she should focus on how she felt rather than what you did wrong in her eyes. And you should do the same. Sometimes, the things that we say can take on different meanings to others because of who they are, where they're from and what they're going through. That doesn't make one person more right or more wrong. But, with conversation and openness, these conflicts can be doorways to empathy and understanding. (Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@ or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Geeky Gadgets
24-06-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
ElevenLabs Launches 11ai a Voice-first AI Assistant That Takes Action
11ai is a voice-first AI assistant designed to go beyond traditional voice assistants by taking meaningful actions within user workflows. Powered by ElevenLabs Conversational AI and integrated with the Model Context Protocol (MCP), 11ai connects to various tools and systems to perform tasks such as planning, research, project management, and communication. It aims to streamline productivity by understanding context, integrating with external APIs, and executing sequential actions. 11ai distinguishes itself by going beyond simple voice commands to deliver actionable, context-aware assistance. It enables users to interact with their tools and systems in real time, offering a more dynamic and efficient approach to managing workflows. For instance, users can: Key Highlights of ElevenLabs 11ai This functionality is powered by real-time processing, which ensures ultra-low latency for smooth and uninterrupted interactions. Additionally, 11ai supports multimodal communication, allowing users to seamlessly switch between voice and text within the same session. Whether planning a daily agenda, summarizing Slack messages, or creating project tickets, the assistant adapts to user needs with remarkable speed and precision. Introducing ElevenLabs 11ai Watch this video on YouTube. The Role of Model Context Protocol in Integration Central to 11ai's capabilities is the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a standardized framework that assists seamless API connections. MCP enables the assistant to integrate with a diverse range of tools, including: Salesforce, Gmail, Notion, Zapier, HubSpot and Slack. Pre-built integrations simplify the onboarding process, while support for custom MCP servers ensures compatibility with specialized or internal tools. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor 11ai to their unique workflows. For example, sales teams can update CRM records in real time, while project managers can assign tasks or monitor progress without leaving their existing platforms. By bridging voice-first AI with enterprise software, 11ai provides a cohesive solution that enhances productivity across departments. Advanced Features for Context-Aware Assistance 11ai's ability to deliver context-aware assistance is powered by Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), a feature that ensures its responses align with user intent. This capability is particularly valuable for handling complex tasks, such as summarizing lengthy documents or extracting insights from large datasets. Another key feature is automatic language detection, which enables seamless multilingual conversations without requiring manual adjustments. This makes 11ai accessible to a global audience and suitable for diverse use cases. Security is a core component of 11ai's design. With enterprise-grade protections, including HIPAA compliance, the assistant is well-suited for industries with stringent data privacy requirements, such as healthcare and finance. Configurable permissions allow users to control the assistant's actions, making sure that only authorized tasks are performed. Personalization and Accessibility To enhance user engagement, 11ai offers access to over 5,000 pre-designed voices and the ability to create custom voice clones. This feature allows businesses to align the assistant's voice with their brand identity, creating a more personalized experience for both internal users and external customers. Currently in its alpha release, 11ai is available for free, providing users with an opportunity to explore its capabilities and offer feedback. This phase focuses on refining integrations, improving conversation flow, and expanding functionality based on real-world use cases. Practical Applications Across Industries The versatility of 11ai makes it applicable across a wide range of industries. In healthcare, for example, the assistant can streamline administrative tasks, such as updating patient records or scheduling appointments, while maintaining compliance with strict data privacy regulations. In finance, it can assist with generating reports, analyzing datasets, or managing client communications. For creative professionals, 11ai can simplify content creation by summarizing research, drafting outlines, or organizing project timelines. Meanwhile, in customer service, the assistant can enhance response times by integrating with CRM systems to provide instant, context-aware support. A Vision for the Future of Voice-First AI 11ai exemplifies the growing potential of voice-first AI to transform how individuals and organizations approach productivity. By combining natural voice interaction with actionable assistance, seamless integrations, and advanced features like RAG and MCP, it addresses the complexities of modern workflows. Its ability to understand context, execute tasks, and adapt to user needs positions it as a valuable tool for optimizing operations. As voice-first AI continues to evolve, 11ai sets a benchmark for what is achievable in this space. It offers a glimpse into a future where technology works alongside humans to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. By bridging the gap between conversational AI and actionable productivity, 11ai redefines the role of voice assistants in both personal and professional settings. With its focus on context-aware assistance, seamless integration, and personalization, 11ai represents a forward-thinking approach to productivity. As businesses and individuals explore its capabilities, it has the potential to become an indispensable tool for navigating the demands of modern workflows. Find more information on AI assistants by browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Sky News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Diddy trial latest: 'Threatening' texts sent to assistant 'Mia' read out at trial
The sex-trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs is continuing to hear evidence from the second of his alleged victims, a former assistant who is using the pseudonym 'Mia' to protect her privacy. Follow the latest from the trial, and catch up on what's happened so far, below. 15:33:39 Mia says Diddy became angry at her for counting his money too slowly Mia, Sean Combs's former assistant, is now asked about a trip to the Caribbean island St Barts on New Year's Eve in 2010. She says she was staying on a chartered yacht with Diddy and other members of his staff. Mia describes a moment when she was called into the rapper's room and was told to count the money in his safe, something she says was not her job. Despite doing as he asked, Mia says Combs became "really angry" and accused her of counting too slowly. "He chased me out of the room," she says, telling the jury that she ran to the third floor to hide. "I just wanted to get away from him and leave the country," she adds, but says she went back on the boat "because I felt that I had to". 15:18:56 'He is currently firing me at the moment': Email shows moment Diddy's former assistant was suspended Attention now turns to how Sean Combs's former assistant was suspended. Mia explains that she was suspended for oversleeping, adding that she accidentally overslept after being awake for several days. The jury is shown an email chain between Mia and another employee of Sean Combs in March 2011. In the email, Mia is asked about the handling of tickets for an event, and responded by saying "I'd totally help but he is currently firing me at the moment". She says that came after she bought the wrong workout gear for Diddy, leading to her being suspended without pay. Mia explains that she continued working for Combs until 2017, adding "I tried to run away before and it didn't work". When asked if she could get other jobs, Mia says Diddy would have destroyed her reputation. "I was scared of him," she says. 15:02:57 'Let's go to war': Diddy threatens to 'tell everything' in messages shown to jury The jury is shown another WhatsApp exchange, this time between Sean Combs and Mia on 31 October 2025, while she was still in South Africa. "If you don't call me now f*** it all. And imma tell everything. And dont ever speak me again. You have 2 min. F*** her. Call my [house] now or never speak to me again. F*** abc and all lawyers. Let's go to war," Diddy wrote in one message shared with the court. Mia explains that US TV network ABC had bought the rights to a comedy show she had written, but it never aired. When asked what she thought Diddy's message meant, Mia says he was threatening to tell Cassie about the times he had sexually assaulted her but "framed differently... that I had a part in it". Prosecutor Madison Smyser asks Mia what would happen if she didn't follow Diddy's instructions, to which she says she would have been in big trouble, losing her job and being emotionally or physically abused. 14:50:48 Mia recalls 'night terrors' about Diddy and says he threatened to kill her The jury is shown a WhatsApp exchange between Sean Combs's chief of staff Kristina Khorram and Mia in October 2015. Khorram initiates the conversation and tells Mia that Diddy wants to talk to her. Mia responds by saying Diddy didn't sound right in his mind, adding that he was slurring his words, threatening her job and threatened to kill her. When asked by prosecutor Madison Smyser about how those threats made her feel, Mia says she was "desperate to make it right, terrified and sad". When Khorram asked Mia how things were going, she said she was sore, had anxiety and suffered "night terrors" about Diddy. 14:36:11 'I was put in the middle': Mia on moment Cassie found out Diddy was 'cheating' on her Prosecutor Madison Smyser starts by asking Mia about the relationship between Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura. Mia explains that Combs told her to go to South Africa with Cassie in October 2015, and while they were there Cassie found out Combs was allegedly cheating on her. "She was devastated," Mia says, after Cassie found a video online showing Combs with another woman. Mia testifies that Cassie stopped answering his calls at one point, with Combs's chief of staff Kristina Khorram trying to reach out. "I was put in the middle," she adds. 14:16:37 'Mia' returns to the stand Sean "Diddy" Combs's former personal assistant, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia", has now returned to the stand and will continue giving evidence. Mia testified for most of the day yesterday and started by answering questions calmly, but became emotional as she described Diddy's relationship with Cassie Ventura and alleged sexual assaults. She cried as she recalled feeling "terrified and trapped", recounting Combs allegedly forcing himself on her. 14:11:26 Judge and attorneys discuss logistics as former personal assistant to resume evidence The judge and attorneys are continuing to discuss logistics after Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo highlighted communication issues with Sean Combs (see previous post). A reminder, we're expecting Combs's former personal assistant, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia", to return to the stand and continue giving evidence today. 13:48:05 Diddy case pushing boundaries of what court security is available to do, judge says Before we hear from Mia again, Judge Arun Subramanian is in conversation with one of Diddy's attorneys about his ability to speak to Sean Combs outside courtroom hours. Subramanian tells the court that the Diddy case is pushing the boundaries of what court security and the marshals are available to do. He suggests getting Combs to the court building at 7am (12pm UK time) would give his attorneys substantial time to confer with him. Marc Agnifilo, one of Diddy's attorneys, says thank you for the marshals service but says they don't allow documents to be shown. "We are restrained if we want to show him exhibits, we can't do it in the facility we have," he says. However, the judge tells Agnifilo that the access he and Combs have had is much greater than defendants in many cases, adding that this is a unique case. 13:34:12 Day 13 of trial under way Today's session is now under way. A reminder, Sean Combs's former personal assistant, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia", will continue giving evidence. Take a look back at a summary of the testimony she gave yesterday in our previous post. We'll bring you the latest updates from her evidence. 13:23:01 A recap of what happened in court yesterday It's day 13 of Sean "Diddy" Combs's trial and proceedings are about to start again in a few minutes. Before that, here is a look at what happened yesterday: Combs's former personal assistant, who testified under the pseudonym "Mia", said that the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her, threw her into a swimming pool, dumped a bucket of ice on her head and slammed her arm into a door during her eight-year tenure; She said Combs berated her for mistakes, even ones made by other employees, and loaded her up with so many tasks she did not sleep for days; Mia told the court she once woke to find Combs on top of her and that he forced her to have sex against her will. Another time, he forced her to perform oral sex, she alleged; She also said Combs's employees were always on edge because his mood could "change in a split second", causing everything to go from "happy to chaotic"; Mia said she saw Diddy being violent or threatening towards Cassie on several occasions, including at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, during a party at Prince's house, and on a trip to a private island in Turks and Caicos; She claimed Combs once pressured her into taking ketamine, and described incidents when he allegedly slammed a door on her arm and threw spaghetti at her; The court heard she had never told anyone of the alleged attacks until the government's investigation in this case, and that it was a secret she had expected to take to the grave; Mia's testimony echoed that of prior prosecution witnesses, including several of Combs's other former employees, as well as his former partner Cassie.
