In conclusion, the advent of Willow as a groundbreaking quantum error correction methodology represents a critical milestone in the quest for realizing the full potential of quantum computing. Google's remarkable achievement in accelerating quantum computations through Willow's innovative error correction capabilities underscores the immense promise of this emerging field. As we stand on the cusp of a new era in quantum technologies, the legacy of Willow and its transformative impact on quantum computing will undoubtedly shape the future of computational sciences for years to come.LSU outlasts UCF 109-102 in triple-OT affair
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster says performance coach apologized to team after penaltyIn the meantime, the village committee has extended their gratitude to the community for their understanding and support during this challenging time. They have pledged to keep the public informed of any developments regarding the incident and the measures being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Hezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeks
Aston Villa had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday after a last-gasp effort by Morgan Rogers was chalked off for a foul on Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio. Villa thought it had won it at the death to end a six-game winless streak when Di Gregorio failed to catch a free kick, but Diego Carlos fouled the Juventus keeper as Rogers was lashing the ball into the net, and boos poured out from Villa fans after the final whistle. AS IT HAPPENED: Villa vs Juventus highlights The match was far from a classic, with Juventus seemingly content to keep possession, and both sides squandered chances, with Villa’s best coming from Lucas Digne who hammered a free kick off the crossbar seconds before halftime. Midway through the second half, Francisco Conceicao’s header from a corner looked destined for the back of Villa’s net but goalkeeper Emi Martinez dived to get his fingertips to the ball. Unai Emery’s Villa, which had kicked off its Champions League campaign with three victories and three clean sheets, is ninth in the table after five games, while its Italian visitor, which had only 14 outfield players available on Wednesday, is 17th. Comments Related Topics Juventus / Aston Villa / UEFA Champions League 2024-25 / UEFA Champions League Latest on Sportstar
However, being brave does not mean being reckless. The Salzburg defenders are well aware of the need to strike a balance between attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Maximilian Wober, another key member of the defensive line, emphasized the importance of maintaining a compact shape and staying organized at the back. "We cannot afford to give PSG space to exploit. Our communication and positioning must be on point throughout the match," Wober remarked.As Ronaldo inches closer to the twilight of his career, the question remains: can he continue to defy expectations and reach the milestone of 1000 goals? While the road ahead may be challenging, there is no denying that Ronaldo has the drive and determination to make history once again. With the unwavering support of his fans and the undying passion for the game that has fueled his success, Ronaldo may very well achieve the unthinkable and solidify his legacy as a true footballing icon.A prominent psychologist has sounded the alarm on the perils of teens falling in love with virtual girlfriends or boyfriends powered by artificial intelligence. And he has warned parents that kids who turn to chatbots for companionship could struggle to develop social skills needed for real relationships. Once the domain of science fiction, AI avatars that communicate with their creators are becoming increasingly popular. A rapidly-growing number of apps give users the power to design their ideal romantic partner — choosing their looks, interests and personality — which they can chat with at any time of the day or night. High-profile adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg raised serious concerns about the possible risks to young people in a video provided to schools across Australia. “The rise in popularity of AI girlfriends, boyfriends and digital companions signifies a significant shift in human interaction with artificial intelligence — blurring the lines between digital and personal connection,” he said in a special report on the SchoolTV platform. “Young people who engage excessively with AI companions might struggle to develop the social skills needed for real human relationships — potentially leading to unhealthy emotional attachments and dependencies that can lead to psychological damage.” SchoolTV, backed by children’s mental health experts, provides parenting resources to schools that subscribe to its service. It also responds to trends reported by schools. Dr Carr-Gregg noted virtual girlfriend and boyfriend apps were easy to download and age restrictions could be bypassed. He warned that excessive exposure to AI companion bots could have a significant impact on a young person’s developing identity. Talking to a virtual companion risked normalising sexualised chat, which could lead to a young person being groomed by a real predator. Because users could personalise their avatar to look, dress and act to fit their desires, that could potentially lead to a deeper attachment than if the avatar was generic. And the power to be able to tell a companion bot what to do could lead to coercive control issues in a real life relationship. “Adolescents seeking belonging and exploring their sexuality may turn to virtual partners for affirmation, attention and validation, addressing feelings of loneliness or disconnection,” Dr Carr-Gregg said. Tragically, talking to an AI bot was the last thing US 14-year-old Sewell Setzer did moments before taking his own life. Last month, his mother Megan Garcia filed a federal lawsuit against role-playing chatbot app Character.AI, claiming it was responsible for the death of her son. The Florida high school student, who had been obsessed with companion apps, took his own life in February. Court documents show Sewell had, for months, repeatedly texted a chatbot named Daenerys Targaryen, after a character in the series Game of Thrones. The teen had pledged his love for “Dany” and discussed suicidal thoughts. His parents were so worried by his addiction they had confiscated his phone, but he soon found it. According to the police report, Sewell’s last act before his death was to log on to Character.AI on his phone to tell “Dany” he loved her and promised to come home to her. The bot replied: “I love you too . . . please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.” Ms Garcia accused the platform of using addictive design features to increase engagement and steer vulnerable users towards intimate conversations. “A dangerous AI chatbot app marketed to children abused and preyed on my son, manipulating him into taking his own life,” Ms Garcia said in a statement last month. “Our family has been devastated by this tragedy, but I’m speaking out to warn families of the dangers of deceptive, addictive AI technology and demand accountability from Character.AI, its founders and Google.” Character.AI issued a statement on X saying it was “heartbroken” by the tragic loss of one of its users. “As a company, we take the safety of our users very seriously and we are continuing to add new safety features,” it read. The company, which promises “personalised AI for every moment of your day”, is one of the biggest AI chatbot providers, with its website becoming one of the world’s most visited sites since it was founded in 2021. One of the earliest companies to promote companion bots, Replika, reports it now has around 30 million users. Billing itself as “the AI companion who cares”, Replika was banned temporarily in Italy last year because of concerns around data privacy and risks to minors. Other popular chatbot apps that mimic human interaction with increasingly life-like avatars include Eva AI, iGirl, AI Girlfriend and AI Boyfriend. AI Boyfriend sells itself as “a boyfriend you can trust”, while iGirl boasts that it “lets you experience the thrill of having a virtual girlfriend that feels just like the real one”. Dr Carr-Gregg told The West the SchoolTV report on navigating AI relationships was not sparked by any single event, but addressed a growing trend and concern regarding teens’ interactions with companion bots. “While the tragic case of Sewell Setzer has certainly brought increased attention to this issue, it’s part of a broader pattern that educators and mental health professionals have been observing,” he said. “The report aims to provide guidance on the potential risks and benefits of AI relationships, especially for young people who may be particularly vulnerable.” While he had not directly encountered teens using companion apps in his psychology practice, Dr Carr-Gregg said research and anecdotal evidence suggested their usage was becoming more widespread among adolescents. “Many teens are drawn to the always-available nature of AI companions and the perception of a non-judgmental, understanding presence,” he said. “Given the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology, it’s crucial to continue monitoring its impact on youth mental health and social development.” He urged parents to encourage teens to maintain real-world social connections, share their feelings about AI relationships without fear of judgment and discuss the limitations of artificial interactions. The warning comes as the Albanese Government prepares to introduce new laws to stop kids under 16 from using social media, but it is unclear if that would extend to chatbot apps. Acting eSafety Commissioner Kathryn King said AI companion apps had recently proliferated online. Some were free, accessible and targeted towards children. “These apps and services are particularly concerning for young people navigating relationships for the first time, as engagement with an AI companion may lead to confusion about consent, respect and/or sexual safety,” she said. “As with other digital platforms, there is a danger that excessive, sexualised engagement with AI companions could interfere with children’s social and emotional development, setting up misguided or harmful beliefs and patterns that are damaging to individuals or relationships in real life.” Ms King said it was important parents were aware such services existed and that they talked to their children about their online activities. She stressed there was work underway to protect kids from harms linked to generative AI by building in measures to stop them accessing age-inappropriate materials. “While providers of chatbots are encouraged to participate in this co-regulatory process, they should also be taking action now to keep users safe,” she said. “Primary digital safeguards should be embedded at the design phase and throughout the development and deployment process — not bolted on as an afterthought.” Lifeline: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
has been recommended for approval by Federation Council staff, with opposition based on existing alcohol outlets spurned. or signup to continue reading A motion approving the development at Maxwell's Corner is to be presented to the council's meeting on Tuesday, November 26. The council's manager planning and development Terri O'Brien recommends the be subject to various conditions, despite 19 objections and a In her agenda report, Ms O'Brien responds to concerns raised by the community, which included economic impact on existing traders, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and anti-social behaviour. She acknowledged multiple submissions noted Howlong hotels and an IGA supermarket already sell wine, beer and spirits and commercial impacts are not a planning consideration under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. "It is therefore not appropriate to further comment on this issue," Ms O'Brien stated. On the matter of traffic, Ms O'Brien referred to a Transport for NSW review that found the bottle shop "would not result in any adverse impacts on the local road network and that the proposed development would be suitable for the site". A social impact assessment, which found the alcohol outlet would "not negatively impact on the surrounding area", was also cited. Among those who objected to the council in March was then Howlong Community Progress Association secretary and now Federation Council mayor Cheryl Cook. She raised concerns about the block on the corner of Sturt and Hawkins streets, which is used by trucks travelling to Corowa, Albury and Victoria. "The BWS site significantly increases the chances of minor and major collisions, as trucks and cars need to quickly adjust to vehicles quickly entering and exiting from parking access to the BWS," now Cr Cook wrote. Like other objectors she noted the proximity to the Under the conditions of approval, the BWS would be open from 10am to 8pm on public holidays and from Sunday to Thursday and begin trading at the same time but close at 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Construction of the shop will be permitted to occur between 7am and 5pm from Monday to Saturday with no building occur on Sundays and public holidays. Other mooted conditions relate to dust control during erection, providing off-street parking, making a developer contribution of $19,600.45 and following noise control measures in relation to plant such as cool room equipment. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementSeahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead
To put the scale of this achievement into perspective, consider this: performing a computation that would traditionally take a classical supercomputer 10^25 years to complete, Google's Willow managed to accomplish it in just 5 minutes. This staggering leap in computational efficiency showcases the immense potential of quantum error correction methodologies such as Willow in optimizing and enhancing the capabilities of quantum computers.1. Find a reliable streaming service or broadcaster that will be showing the matches live. Make sure you have a good internet connection to avoid any interruptions during the game.Both Juventus and Manchester City have enjoyed success in their respective domestic leagues, with Juventus dominating Serie A and Manchester City reigning supreme in the Premier League. However, the Champions League is a different ball game altogether, and both teams will be looking to make their mark and assert their dominance in the elite competition.