An expert shared his top video game picks for 2025. The list includes narrative-driven games, multiplayer games, and puzzle/strategy games. Some standout titles are "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" and "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach."
Key Facts
The list was created by James Mastromarino, NPR’s gaming editor.
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" combines elements of novels and films with a heartfelt story.
"Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" is known for its cinematic feel and features Hollywood actors.
"Split Fiction" is a multiplayer game for two players placed in a virtual reality space.
"Mario Kart World" is highlighted as a great family-friendly game.
"Blue Prince" involves exploring a mansion room by room in a puzzle/strategy format.
"Strange Antiquities" combines running an antique shop with an occult mystery theme.
Disney has agreed to invest $1 billion in OpenAI to allow its characters to be used in ChatGPT and a video tool called Sora. This deal lets people create videos and images featuring over 200 Disney characters, but excludes using the actors' voices. Disney plans to make this feature available by early 2026.
Key Facts
Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI for character use in AI tools.
The deal includes over 200 Disney characters from franchises like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars.
The characters can be used in ChatGPT and a video tool named Sora.
This is the first major studio to license its content to OpenAI.
Disney characters' voices or actor likenesses are not included in the agreement.
Disney aims to make the content generation feature available in early 2026.
Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google over alleged copyright issues.
OpenAI's video tool Sora has faced criticism for creating offensive deepfakes.
Time magazine chose AI architects as its "Person of the Year" for 2025, highlighting the significant impact AI is having on technology, business, and society. The magazine noted both the positive potential of AI and the challenges, like energy use and misinformation.
Key Facts
Time magazine named AI architects its "Person of the Year" for 2025.
This decision emphasizes AI's impact on technology, business, and society.
Time editor Sam Jacobs said AI's full potential was clear this year.
AI's growth raises concerns about energy use and misinformation.
There are fears of large-scale cyberattacks without human involvement.
The recognition is part of capturing key moments in tech history.
Time partnered with OpenAI, providing access to its archives.
President Trump was Time's "Person of the Year" in 2024 after his election win.
Walt Disney plans to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and will start using OpenAI's AI video platform called Sora. Disney will allow the use of over 200 characters from its brands like Marvel and Star Wars on this platform.
Key Facts
Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI.
Disney will use OpenAI's AI video platform named Sora.
More than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars will be featured.
The deal allows social videos to be made from these characters.
Disney will get warrants, which are rights to buy additional OpenAI shares.
The agreement does not include the likenesses or voices of human talent.
This is Disney's first major content licensing partner with OpenAI.
IBM transformed itself by making artificial intelligence (AI) a key part of its business strategy. The company shifted from a cautious approach to actively changing its processes through AI, leading to increased growth and productivity.
Key Facts
IBM historically focused on minimizing risk, which limited its innovation.
Under CEO Arvind Krishna, IBM decided to make AI central to its business strategy.
The company restructured 490 workflows and created over 3,000 digital workers using AI.
IBM trained its employees to think differently about how work should be done.
These changes resulted in billions of dollars in productivity gains and renewed company growth.
IBM’s transformation shows that true advantage comes from rethinking existing processes, not just adding AI as an extra tool.
The shift suggests that the risk of avoiding change is higher in the evolving AI landscape.
The 2025 Game Awards, a major event in the video game industry, takes place tonight with streams available online. Indie games are leading the nominations, and viewers can expect both awards and new game announcements.
Key Facts
The Game Awards begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and lasts about three hours.
The event is available to stream on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and the Steam app.
Geoff Keighley is the host, with celebrity guests like Jeffrey Wright and Evanescence.
Top indie game nominees include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades 2, and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received a record 12 nominations.
The show combines awards with new game trailers and updates, such as for Grand Theft Auto VI.
Winners are chosen by both industry experts and fan voting.
Founded in 2014, The Game Awards has become a globally watched event celebrating top games and creators.
The "Architects of AI" were named Time magazine's 2025 Person of the Year. Time chose to honor the individuals responsible for creating artificial intelligence instead of the technology itself.
Key Facts
Time magazine named the "Architects of AI" its 2025 Person of the Year.
The choice highlights the year 2025 as significant for artificial intelligence's growth.
Time emphasized the people behind AI rather than the technology.
Time has previously honored groups or concepts, not just individuals.
AI designers and builders were credited for bringing "thinking machines" into focus.
Time Magazine named "the architects" of artificial intelligence as its Person of the Year for 2025. This includes tech leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk from X. The award highlights how quickly AI is changing society and affecting everyday life.
Key Facts
Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2025 is a group called "the architects" of AI, not an individual.
Notable figures include Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Elon Musk (X), and Fei-Fei Li (AI expert).
The cover image mimics a famous photograph but shows tech leaders instead of construction workers.
AI tech continues to grow rapidly since the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022.
About 700 million people use ChatGPT each week as of September.
Big tech companies are investing billions in AI to compete with one another.
AI is increasingly integrated into many parts of daily life, including online searches and consumer choices.
Some people have concerns about AI's energy use, the data it requires, and its impact on jobs.
Drax, an energy company, announced plans to build a 100 megawatt (MW) data center at its site near Selby, Yorkshire. The data center aims to support the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and could be operational by 2027. The project is part of Drax’s plan to invest up to £2 billion in flexible and renewable energy.
Key Facts
Drax plans to open a 100MW data center at its power station site near Selby, Yorkshire.
The data center aims to support AI development and technology growth.
Drax intends to invest up to £2 billion in flexible and renewable energy projects.
The data center could be ready by 2027, but no planning application has been submitted yet.
Drax plans to use existing infrastructure and grid links at their site for the data center.
The company reported strong performance and expects full-year earnings to be high for 2025.
Drax's trading update showed growth in its flexible generation, pellet production, and biomass operations.
A new docuseries about Taylor Swift, called "Taylor Swift – The End of an Era," is set to be released on Disney+ starting December 12, 2025. The six-part series offers a close look at Swift's life during her Eras Tour and includes appearances by other performers and family members.
Key Facts
The docuseries "Taylor Swift – The End of an Era" will release its first two episodes on December 12, 2025, on Disney+.
Two new episodes of the series will be available each week through December 26, 2025.
The series provides an inside look at Taylor Swift's life during her Eras Tour.
The series features appearances by other performers like Ed Sheeran and Sabrina Carpenter.
A Disney+ subscription is needed to watch the series, with options for a basic plan with ads or a premium ad-free plan.
The first episode will also be shown on ABC on December 12 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT.
The release schedule for the series includes December 12, December 19, and December 26, 2025, for different episodes.
Disney has made a $1 billion agreement with OpenAI. This deal allows users of OpenAI's Sora platform to create videos featuring Disney characters like those from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. Some of these user-created videos will be available on the Disney+ streaming service.
Key Facts
Disney signed a $1 billion deal with OpenAI.
The deal involves OpenAI's AI video platform, named Sora.
Users can create content featuring over 200 Disney characters.
Characters from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars are included.
Some videos made by users will be streamable on Disney+.
This is a new development in AI and entertainment collaboration.
A Reddit post described a situation where a three-year-old girl swallowed an AirPod, and her uncle used his phone to check if he could hear the device inside her. Despite some finding the situation amusing, it highlighted serious safety concerns about small electronics and child safety. Eventually, the AirPod was safely removed through a medical procedure called endoscopy.
Key Facts
A three-year-old girl swallowed an AirPod, causing concern among her family.
The girl's uncle humorously connected the AirPod to his phone to listen for it in her stomach.
Apple warns that AirPods can pose a choking or ingestion hazard for small children.
Swallowed batteries can cause serious internal injuries and require immediate medical attention.
The AirPod was removed safely using endoscopy, a medical procedure involving a camera-equipped tube.
The incident went viral on Reddit, with many users finding the uncle's reaction amusing.
Apple emphasizes keeping small electronics, like AirPods, out of reach of children for safety reasons.
Kim Kardashian will join Fortnite as a character, along with items inspired by her fashion brand SKIMS. The collaboration launches on December 13, 2025, and will feature various outfits and lifestyle items. Players can buy these items using in-game currency.
Key Facts
Kim Kardashian will be a character in Fortnite starting December 13, 2025.
The collaboration includes items inspired by Kardashian's brand, SKIMS.
Players can choose from 25 different outfit styles and three hairstyles.
Items include a private jet, makeup bag, ring light, and cellphone.
Pricing is estimated in Fortnite's virtual currency: 1,500 V-Bucks for outfits, 500 V-Bucks for the emote, and 1,200 V-Bucks for the jet.
The online reaction has been significant, with high engagement on YouTube and Instagram.
Some users expressed surprise and excitement, while others had mixed reactions.
A study warns that as more people install rooftop solar panels, electricity bills for those who stay on the traditional grid could increase. This happens because fixed costs are spread among fewer customers. Policymakers are advised to introduce fees to help utilities recover costs and prevent financial problems.
Key Facts
Installing solar panels can increase electricity costs for neighbors who stay on the grid.
Researchers used an economic model to study this effect in the Tennessee Valley Authority area.
If solar becomes cheaper, up to 30% of customers may leave the grid by 2051.
Electricity rates might increase by 10% for those who remain on the grid.
Low-income households are more affected, as they may face higher costs.
Policymakers could use grid access fees to help utilities manage costs.
The study highlights the environmental benefits of solar but warns of potential cost shifts.
The health care system is changing with new technologies like artificial intelligence, but the workforce is still trained using old methods. To keep up, new health care roles that combine clinical skills with data and technology knowledge are needed. Current regulations and school programs limit the development of these new roles.
Key Facts
Health care is evolving with AI and new technologies, while the workforce uses outdated methods.
Current health care training programs are based on old systems and don't match today's needs.
AI-Integrated Clinical Roles involve using AI to improve clinical decision-making and care pathways.
Complexity-Informed Systems Roles focus on designing adaptable care models.
Value-Based Care Roles align with measuring and improving patient outcomes.
New roles like Data Provenance Officers ensure the safe use and integrity of clinical data.
Community-Centered Hybrid Roles combine virtual and in-person care with AI support.
Barriers like outdated regulations and training prevent the creation of these new roles.
Designworks, a creative design company in California, has been working with BMW for two decades on a new vehicle design. This long-term project led to the debut of BMW's Neue Klasse vehicles. The first publicly revealed model, the iX3, showcases design features developed over these years.
Key Facts
Designworks is a creative design company based in Santa Monica, California.
The company has collaborated with BMW for over 20 years on vehicle design projects.
The BMW Neue Klasse vehicles result from these long-term design efforts.
The iX3 is the first BMW Neue Klasse model made available to the public.
Design features of the iX3 include a new style of grille and horizontal light signature.
The design process took years, involving numerous revisions to align with product goals.
A fan of the Netflix series "Stranger Things" noticed an error in the show where characters are shown playing a video game inaccurately. The series is set in the 1980s, but the game version shown was not available on the gaming console used during that time. The fan shared this observation on social media, leading to widespread attention.
Key Facts
"Stranger Things" is a popular Netflix series set in the 1980s.
The series aims to accurately depict 1980s American life, but some mistakes happen.
A fan named Jacob noticed a game error in the latest episodes.
The error showed characters playing an arcade version of "Ghosts N’ Goblins" on a Nintendo system.
Jacob highlighted the mistake on social media, where it gained 1.1 million views.
The post attracted attention because of its sarcasm about the error.
Despite the attention, Jacob stated that the error is minor in the context of the show.
Amazon and Microsoft are investing over $50 billion in India to boost artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. India's AI development is progressing, but it faces challenges compared to countries like China and the U.S. due to less investment and infrastructure.
Key Facts
Amazon and Microsoft have announced investments totaling more than $50 billion in India, focusing on AI.
Microsoft plans to invest $17.5 billion to enhance infrastructure and skills for AI in India.
Amazon will invest over $35 billion by 2030, including some funds for AI.
Some experts see India as a safer investment against potential problems in the global AI market.
India is increasing its efforts in AI but faces challenges such as limited infrastructure and investment.
The Indian government started an AI mission to supply resources to developers and researchers.
India has strong AI talent but struggles with retaining them due to better opportunities abroad.
China and the U.S. have invested more heavily in AI, giving them an advantage over India.
Elon Musk indicated that SpaceX may become a publicly traded company in 2026. This could be a very large initial public offering (IPO), potentially surpassing the record set by Saudi Aramco in 2019.
Key Facts
Elon Musk hinted that SpaceX could have an IPO in 2026.
Axios reported that investors were informed about this potential IPO.
The IPO may be the largest ever, possibly exceeding Saudi Aramco's $25.6 billion IPO from 2019.
SpaceX is highly valued, being the second-most valuable private company after OpenAI.
Musk confirmed the possibility of the IPO through a statement on social media platform X.
The projection is that SpaceX is preparing for this IPO event.
Schools in the UK are testing AI technology, including deepfake avatars, to help with teaching. The goal is to reduce teacher workload and improve education quality, but there are differing opinions on its effectiveness and impact on teacher-student relationships.
Key Facts
Schools in the UK are using AI, including virtual teachers and deepfake avatars, in classrooms.
The UK government believes AI can transform education and help reduce teacher workload.
Some teachers and unions are concerned that AI cannot replace the in-person teacher-student relationship.
The Valley Leadership Academy uses a remote maths teacher for some students, leading to teacher strikes.
AI systems at Great Schools Trust help with marking assessments and planning lessons.
Deepfake technology is used for personalized feedback and translation for students and parents.
The use of deepfake technology is optional for teachers and aims to support, not replace, them.
