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AMD Will Bring Its 'Ryzen AI' Processors To Standard Desktop PCs For First Time

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: AMD has been selling "Ryzen AI"-branded laptop processors for around a year and a half at this point. In addition to including modern CPU and GPU architectures, these are attempting to capitalize on the generative AI craze by offering chips with neural processing units (NPUs) suitable for running language and image-generation models locally, rather than on some company's server. But so far, AMD's desktop chips have lacked both these higher-performance NPUs and the Ryzen AI label. That changes today, at least a little: AMD is announcing its first three Ryzen AI chips for desktops using its AM5 CPU socket. These Ryzen AI 400-series CPUs are direct replacements for the Ryzen 8000G processors, rather than the Ryzen 9000-series, and they combine Zen 5-based CPU cores, RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, and an NPU capable of 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This makes them AMD's first desktop chips to qualify for Microsoft's Copilot+ PC label, which enables a handful of unique Windows 11 features like Recall and Click to Do.

The six chips AMD is announcing today -- the 65 W Ryzen AI 7 Pro 450G, Ryzen AI 5 Pro 440G, and Ryzen AI 5 Pro 435G, along with low-power 35 W "GE" variants -- all bear AMD's "Ryzen Pro" branding as well, which means they support a handful of device management capabilities that are important for business PCs managed by IT departments. At this point, it doesn't seem as though AMD will be offering boxed versions to regular consumers; the Ryzen AI desktop chips will appear mainly in business PCs that don't need a dedicated graphics card but still benefit from more robust graphics than AMD offers in regular Ryzen desktop CPUs. Like past G-series Ryzen chips, these are essentially laptop silicon repackaged for desktop systems. They share most of their specs in common with Ryzen AI 300 laptop processors, despite their Ryzen AI 400-series branding. The two chip generations are extremely similar overall, but the Ryzen AI 400-series laptop CPUs include slightly faster 55 TOPS NPUs.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

OpenAI Releases New ChatGPT Model For Working In Excel and Google Sheets

OpenAI today released GPT-5.4, an upgraded ChatGPT model designed to be faster, cheaper, and more accurate for workplace tasks. The update also introduces tools that let ChatGPT work directly inside Excel and Google Sheets. Axios reports: GPT-5.4 is designed to be less error-prone, more efficient and better at workplace tasks like drafting documents, OpenAI said. The new model can create files in fewer tries with less back-and-forth than prior models, the company said. GPT-5.4 outperformed office workers 83% of the time on GDPval, an OpenAI benchmark measuring performance on real-world tasks across 44 occupations.

The model can also solve problems using fewer tokens, OpenAI says -- which can translate to faster responses and lower costs. The company is also debuting OpenAI for Financial Services, a set of new tools that includes the version of ChatGPT that runs inside spreadsheets and new apps and skills within ChatGPT. Partners include FactSet, MSCI, Third Bridge and Moody's.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

kottke.org

Jason Kottke's weblog, home of fine hypertext products

Big Tuskers

Oh wow, I love these photographs of “big tusker” elephants by Johan Siggesson.

I didn’t even know big tuskers were a thing — and they may not be for much longer:

The term “Big Tusker” refers to an elephant with tusks so large they scrape the floor. Unfortunately, the opportunities for witnessing a big tusker in its natural habitat are slim. As of today, there are approximately 25 individuals left in the world, most of which reside in the Tsavo Conservation Area. It is vital that we make every effort to protect what is arguably the last viable gene pool of “Big Tuskers” remaining.

You can see just how large these elephants’ tusks are compared to those of other elephants in this photo. A great find via Colossal.

Siggesson’s Instagram is worth a look as well…the starkness of the stripes in this zebra photo!

Tags: elephants · Johan Siggesson · photography

This is kind of amazing: World Monitor is a real-time...

This is kind of amazing: World Monitor is a real-time global intelligence dashboard. Includes military activity, climate anomalies, live webcam feeds in warzones, internet outages, active fires, and even the Pentagon Pizza Index.

Akiyoshidai Plateau

Leo V Sky has added a photo to the pool:

Akiyoshidai Plateau

Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

Leo V Sky has added a photo to the pool:

Tozan Shrine - Arita - Japan

on the water photography has added a photo to the pool:

Tozan Shrine - Arita - Japan

The Register

Biting the hand that feeds IT — Enterprise Technology News and Analysis

TerraPower gets permission to build, not operate, sodium-cooled nuclear reactor

Don't flip the switch until the NRC says you can, okay?

Bill Gates-backed nuclear outfit TerraPower finally has approval to build its Natrium reactor. However, it may still face issues finding a steady fuel supply. And, oh yeah, it hasn't built any reactors like this before.…

Westminster, London ウェストミンスター、ロンドン

Mr Mikage (ミスター御影) posted a photo:

Westminster, London ウェストミンスター、ロンドン

Zestig BBB’ers willen dat partijbestuur Mona Keijzer probeert terug te krijgen

Ondertekenaars van de brandbrief zijn onder meer oud-ministers Gouke Moes en Robert Tieman en staatssecretarissen Nicki Pouw-Verweij en Gijs Tuinman.