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‘We’re huge JRPG fans’: Purity Ring on how nostalgia for a gaming era inspired their new single | Games

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If you were around for the electropop zeitgeist of the early 2010s, chances are that Purity Ring feature prominently on your nostalgia playlist. And if you were a young adult at that time, well, there’s also a high chance that you played Japanese role-playing games as a teenager – whether that was Chrono Trigger on an SNES or Final Fantasy on a PlayStation. Purity Ring’s new single Many Lives is an attempt to recapture the feeling of the RPG that you discovered as a 12-year-old and immediately made into your whole personality. Inspired by games such as Skies of Arcadia, Phantasy Star Online and Secret of Mana, it is poised to tug on the heartstrings of fans of a certain vintage.

This is a bold decision for a band who have previously collaborated with Deftones and covered Eurodance classics, but members Megan James and Corin Roddick have the gaming expertise to pull it off. “We’re huge fans of the JRPG genre,” they say, naming Nier: Automata and Final Fantasy X as major influences on the sonic atmosphere of their latest work. “And we’re both currently playing Metaphor: ReFantazio – it’s an incredible fantasy take on the Persona formula.”

Five years after their last studio album and with more than a decade of remixes under their belt, Purity Ring are now fully independent and working under their own imprint, The Fellowship. Their next album, out in September, is described as “the soundtrack to an imagined RPG… the record tells the story of two hapless characters – embodiments of mj and Corin – on a journey to build a kinder world amid the ruins of a broken one.”

The album didn’t start out as an imagined video game soundtrack, but during production they quickly realised where the idea could lead: “There was a sense of traversing an RPG world, of a journey unfolding that felt deeply tied to the sound,” they say. With this concept identified, Many Lives and its b-side, Part II, were born. “Many Lives is the doorway into this imagined world, and its centre – sort of like the place in the beginning of most JRPG games, where the character begins their story.”

The video for Many Lives, with its cel-shaded graphics, was directed by Mike Sunday.

The story here centres around Purity Ring’s real-life experiences during production, as well as “memories and places of terror and comfort” from the duo’s past. “This album is an extension of the dreaming it takes to make actual change,” they say; it explores how games can offer a journey that leads to creative rebirth.

On first listen, what stands out in Many Lives is the haunting voices of the choir, reminiscent of Kenji Kawai’s iconic Ghost in the Shell soundtrack. This eerie intro is accompanied by a high-tempo breakbeat, culminating in a track that feels like watching classic anime while playing Jet Set Radio. Purity Ring aren’t shy about their love for this era. “The Ghost in the Shell soundtrack is such a striking combination with the visuals … it was very memorable to experience that as a kid.” Having revisited the anime for this project, the duo decided to create their new music in its image, citing it alongside the Japanese cult classic game Nier: Automata as an example of music that makes you feel part of the world.

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Canadian electropop duo Purity Ring. Photograph: yuniVERSE

Like Kawai’s soundtrack, Many Lives channels the haunting vocals of Bulgarian folk music alongside James’ vocoded lyrics. Purity Ring aren’t afraid to turn to non-traditional instruments for ideas, claiming they aren’t big gearheads and rarely use hardware synths. “The Legend of Zelda series has always been a major inspiration for us,” they say. “Especially the ocarina music from the N64 titles.” You’ll hear echoes of 1998’s Ocarina of Time in the melody threading through both tracks, like a half-remembered song you’ve not heard for some time.

If the nostalgic vocals and retro Casiotone MT-240 sounds aren’t enough to make you long for the golden age of games, the accompanying video’s cel-shaded graphics emphasise the duo’s love for all things RPG. Directed by Mike Sunday, the video is a GameCube daydream, inspired by “a time that felt like game developers were really embracing style over realism”. It’s Shinjuku meets Hyrule, reminiscent of the opening maps of JRPGs, places that are always beautiful and yet rarely revisited. Purity Ring are fondest of the PS2 and GameCube era, but they pay tribute to the PlayStation Portable too; the UI for their imagined RPG would look at home on several of the handheld’s bestsellers.

For me, Many Lives sounds like afternoons spent playing Baten Kaitos (I’m still hoping for a sequel). For Purity Ring, the tracks “evoke a feeling of past, present and future – a nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced, but somehow still remember”. They’re keen to position this forthcoming album as a new chapter for them, capturing the sound of an era – and chasing the feeling of playing a life-changing game for the first time.

Purity Ring will release their self-titled 4th album on 26 September



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Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine: technical brief – World

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WHO, ITU, WIPO showcase a new report on AI use in traditional medicine

Artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in a transformative era for traditional medicine, one where centuries-old healing systems are enhanced by cutting-edge technologies to deliver more safe, personalized, effective, and accessible care.

At the AI for Good Global Summit, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a new technical brief, Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine. Launched under the Global Initiative on AI for Health, this brief offers a roadmap harnessing this potential responsibly while safeguarding cultural heritage and data sovereignty.

A new era for traditional medicine

Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) is practiced in 170 countries and is used by billions of people. The TCIM practices are increasingly popular globally, driven by a growing interest in holistic health approaches that emphasize prevention, health promotion and rehabilitation.

The new brief showcases experiences in many countries using AI to unlock new frontiers in personalized care, drug discovery, and biodiversity conservation. It includes examples such as how AI-powered diagnostics are being used in Ayurgenomics; machine learning models identifying medicinal plants in countries including Ghana and South Africa; and the use of AI to analyze traditional medicine compounds to treat blood disorders in the Republic of Korea.

“Our Global Initiative on AI for Health aims to help all countries benefit from AI solutions and ensure that they are safe, effective, and ethical,” said Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “This partnership of ITU, WHO and WIPO brings together the essential expertise.”

Data-driven innovation with ethical roots

The brief emphasizes the importance of good-quality, inclusive data and participatory design to ensure AI systems reflect the diversity and complexity of traditional medicine. AI applications can support strengthening the evidence and research base for TCIM, for example through the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India and the Virtual Health Library in the Americas, which use AI to preserve Indigenous knowledge, promote collaboration and prevent biopiracy. Biopiracy is a term for unauthorized extraction of biological resources and/or associated traditional knowledge from developing countries or the patenting of spurious inventions based on such knowledge or resources without compensation.

“Intellectual property is an important tool to accelerate the integration of AI into traditional medicine,” said WIPO Assistant Director- General, Edward Kwakwa. “Our work at WIPO, including the recently adopted WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, supports stakeholders manage IP to deliver on policy priorities including for Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities.”

Guarding data sovereignty, empowering communities

The new document calls for urgent action to uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) and ensure that AI development is guided by free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) principles. It showcases community-led data governance models from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, and urges governments to adopt legislation that empowers Indigenous Peoples to control and benefit from their data.

“AI must not become a new frontier for exploitation,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems. “We must ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not only protected but are active partners in shaping the future of AI in traditional medicine.”

A global call to action

With the global TCIM market projected to reach nearly US$600 billion in 2025, the application of AI could further accelerate the growth and impact of TCIM and holistic health care. Current utilization and potential of AI highlight many opportunities, but there are many areas of knowledge gaps and risks.

There is a need to develop holistic frameworks tailored to TCIM in areas such as regulation, knowledge sharing, capacity building, data governance and the promotion of equity, to ensure the safe, ethical and evidence-based integration of frontier technologies such as AI into the TCIM landscape.

The new technical brief calls on all stakeholders to:

  • Invest in inclusive AI ecosystems that respect cultural diversity and IDSov;
  • Develop national policies and legal frameworks that explicitly address AI in traditional medicine;
  • Build capacity and digital literacy among traditional medicine practitioners and communities;
  • Establish global standards for data quality, interoperability, and ethical AI use; and
  • Safeguard traditional knowledge through AI-powered digital repositories and benefit-sharing models.

By aligning the power of AI with the wisdom of traditional medicine, a new paradigm of care can emerge; one that honors the past, empowers the present, and shapes a healthier, more equitable future for all.



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Fraud experts warn of smishing scams made easier by artificial intelligence, new tech – Toronto Star

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Fraud experts warn of smishing scams made easier by artificial intelligence, new tech  Toronto Star



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Grok 4 Overview : Pricing, Features, Benefits and Limitations

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What if the future of artificial intelligence wasn’t just about answering questions or generating content, but truly understanding the world as we do? Enter Grok 4, a new advancement in artificial general intelligence (AGI) developed by XAI. Unlike its predecessors or competitors, Grok 4 doesn’t just process information—it reasons, adapts, and excels across disciplines like mathematics, science, and complex problem-solving. With a staggering ability to handle a 256k token context window and multimodal inputs ranging from text to images, Grok 4 is redefining what it means to be an intelligent system. Yet, as with any innovation, its brilliance comes with challenges, from steep subscription costs to areas where its performance still lags. The question remains: is Grok 4 the AI revolution we’ve been waiting for, or just another step along the way?

In this exploration of Grok 4, World of AI uncover the features that set it apart, from its postgraduate-level reasoning abilities to its enterprise-grade security and real-time data search capabilities. You’ll discover how its multimodal design positions it as a versatile tool for industries like healthcare, finance, and research, while its unique training methodology ensures adaptability and precision. But we won’t stop there—this deep dive will also examine its limitations, pricing structure, and the ambitious updates on the horizon, such as coding enhancements and video generation models. Whether you’re an enterprise leader seeking innovative solutions or a curious mind exploring the frontier of AGI, Grok 4 offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of intelligent systems.

Grok 4 AGI Breakthrough

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

  • Grok 4, developed by XAI, sets a new standard in artificial general intelligence (AGI) with superior performance in reasoning, mathematics, science, and tool utilization, surpassing competitors like Gemini 2.5 and Claude 4.
  • Its 256k token context window, double that of its predecessor, enables advanced data analysis, long-form content generation, and complex problem-solving, making it highly efficient for intricate tasks.
  • Multimodal capabilities allow Grok 4 to process text, code, and images, making it versatile for industries such as healthcare, finance, and research, where precision and adaptability are critical.
  • Key features include real-time data search, structured outputs, function calling, and enterprise-grade security, making sure seamless integration into workflows and robust data protection.
  • Despite its high subscription costs and limitations in coding and UI mockups, planned updates like a dedicated coding model and video generation capabilities aim to enhance its functionality and maintain its leadership in AGI innovation.

What Sets Grok 4 Apart

Grok 4’s performance is unparalleled across a variety of disciplines. It demonstrates postgraduate-level intelligence in reasoning, mathematics, and science, excelling in rigorous benchmarks such as ARC AGI2 and HLE. These evaluations underscore its ability to outperform competitors by significant margins, showcasing its advanced problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

One of the most notable features of Grok 4 is its ability to process a 256k token context window, which is double the capacity of its predecessor, Grok 3. This expanded context window allows it to manage complex tasks with greater depth and efficiency, making it an indispensable tool for addressing intricate challenges. By using this capability, Grok 4 is particularly adept at handling large-scale data analysis, long-form content generation, and multifaceted problem-solving scenarios.

Multimodal Capabilities and Practical Applications

Grok 4’s multimodal capabilities enable it to process text, code, and image inputs, making it a highly versatile tool. This flexibility allows it to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of applications, from advanced problem-solving to dynamic workflows. Its design supports real-world reasoning and planning, which is particularly valuable for industries requiring precision, adaptability, and contextual understanding.

In practical terms, Grok 4 is well-suited for applications in industries such as:

  • Healthcare: Assisting in medical research, diagnostics, and patient data analysis.
  • Finance: Enhancing risk assessment, fraud detection, and financial modeling.
  • Research and Development: Accelerating innovation through data analysis and hypothesis testing.

These capabilities make Grok 4 an essential tool for organizations aiming to streamline operations and improve decision-making processes.

Deep Dive into Grok 4

Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on Grok.

Innovative Training Methodology

Grok 4 employs a unique training methodology that combines reinforcement learning with pre-training. This dual approach enhances its ability to adapt to new tasks and environments while maintaining a robust foundational knowledge base. By integrating these techniques, Grok 4 achieves a level of contextual understanding and reasoning that distinguishes it from other models.

The reinforcement learning component allows Grok 4 to refine its decision-making processes through iterative feedback, while pre-training ensures a comprehensive grasp of diverse subjects. This combination not only improves its performance in specific tasks but also enhances its general adaptability, making it a reliable choice for both specialized and broad-spectrum applications.

Key Technical Features

Grok 4 introduces several advanced features designed to meet the needs of both enterprise and individual users. These include:

  • Real-time data search: Enables dynamic and up-to-date information retrieval, making sure relevance and accuracy.
  • Structured outputs and function calling: Assists seamless integration into complex workflows, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Enterprise-grade security: Provides robust data protection and ensures compliance with corporate standards, making it a trusted solution for sensitive applications.

These features make Grok 4 particularly valuable for industries where precision, security, and adaptability are critical. Its ability to integrate into existing systems and workflows further enhances its appeal as a versatile and reliable AI solution.

Pricing and Accessibility

Grok 4 is available through two subscription tiers, catering to different user needs:

  • Super Grok: Priced at $300 per year, this tier offers access to Grok 4’s core capabilities.
  • Super Grok Heavy: Priced at $3,000 per year, this tier provides enhanced features and higher usage limits for enterprise users.

For API access, the pricing structure is $3 per 1 million input tokens and $15 per 1 million output tokens. While these costs reflect the model’s advanced capabilities, they may pose a barrier for smaller organizations or individual users with limited budgets. However, for enterprises and professionals requiring innovative AI solutions, the investment is likely to yield significant returns in terms of efficiency and innovation.

Limitations and Future Developments

Despite its impressive capabilities, Grok 4 has certain limitations. It underperforms in areas such as coding and UI mockups, where some competitors currently excel. XAI has acknowledged these gaps and announced plans to address them in future updates. Upcoming developments include:

  • A dedicated coding model to enhance programming-related tasks.
  • A multimodal agent designed for more complex interactions.
  • A video generation model, expanding its creative and multimedia capabilities.

These updates, expected to launch in October, aim to broaden Grok 4’s versatility and application scope, making sure it remains at the forefront of AGI innovation.

Benchmark Achievements

Grok 4 has achieved new results in AI benchmarks, nearly doubling the previous best scores on the ARC AGI2 leaderboard. It consistently outperforms leading models like Gemini 2.5 Pro and Claude 4 across various metrics, solidifying its position as a leader in the AGI field. These achievements underscore its advanced reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities, making it a standout choice for users seeking top-tier AI performance.

Looking Ahead

Grok 4 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of artificial general intelligence. Its advanced reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and enterprise-grade security make it a powerful tool for a wide range of applications. While its high costs and certain functional limitations may deter some users, its innovative features and planned updates position it as a frontrunner in the AI landscape. For enterprises seeking innovative solutions or individuals exploring the possibilities of AGI, Grok 4 offers a compelling glimpse into the future of intelligent systems.

Media Credit: WorldofAI

Filed Under: AI, Top News





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