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Perplexity AI has brought a new voice assistant to iOSThe assistant can open apps like OpenTable or YouTube and prefill tasks like reservations or video searchesPerplexity offers a streamlined alternative to Siri that may beat the native voice assistant in most ways

AI conversational search engine Perplexity is coming for Siri in the form of a new iOS voice assistant. Previously limited to Android, Perplexity's voice assistant wants users to turn to it before the native option. Further, there are a few good reasons why iPhone owners might be inclined to do so.Basically, it's more proactive and able to go a few extra steps beyond Siri's abilities. Ask it to find a dinner reservation, and it will dive into the OpenTable app to fill in your reservation requests, including guests, date, and time, without you having to say another word, just leaving the final tap on the Book button.The same goes for hunting for moments in YouTube videos. You can describe the climactic win from a niche sports documentary, see it queued up on YouTube right away.Of course, some of what Perplexity can do are things that Siri already handles, like writing emails and setting up calendar events. But, even with Apple Intelligence helping out, Perplexity is better at understanding more casual language. And that's before considering the more proactive approach.Ask Siri about signing up for an event this weekend, and you'll hear the familiar “Here's what I found on the web.” Do the same with Perplexity's voice assistant, and (depending on the circumstances) the AI might say, “I already filled out the form. Just click send.”Of course, it’s not all-powerful. You need to open the app and tap the microphone icon to start talking to the AI. However, the responses often let you refine your request without having to start over from scratch.Additionally, the iOS version of Perplexity’s assistant has a few notable limitations. It can’t set alarms or control core iPhone functions, including muting notifications or taking photos. It also can’t access your camera to “see what you see,” which other AI assistants like ChatGPT’s voice mode can.

Introducing Perplexity iOS Voice AssistantVoice Assistant uses web browsing and multi-app actions to book reservations, send emails and calendar invites, play media, and more—all from the Perplexity iOS app.Update your app in the App Store and start asking today. pic.twitter.com/OKdlTaG9COApril 23, 2025

Perplexity popularity

Perplexity is definitely angling to take the place of Siri by not just telling you things, but doing them too. This “agentic AI” approach is gaining popularity across various AI services, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, which are both experimenting with similar ideas.The aim is to cross the bridge from traditional voice AI to fully independent digital agents. Right now, it won’t book the reservation unless you make your final click. But that might change in a year or two.Apple isn't ignoring this concept, but has been slow off the mark in some ways. Although Siri's intelligence has been upgraded in recent months, we are still awaiting the full generative AI overhaul that was originally promised to launch this year within a future version of iOS 18. Apple has since delayed the AI-infused Siri and said it will arrive at some point in the future, more specifically, "in the coming year."Still, by opening its voice assistant to iOS users and layering in real-world tools like OpenTable and YouTube, Perplexity is carving out a space as a nimble alternative to native AI assistants.And if you just want to say, “Find me tacos and make the reservation,” and have the bot say, “Done," Perplexity's voice assistant might be your new favorite iPhone aide.

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The new financial year is the time for businesses to consider any unnecessary expenditure to ensure financial efficiency. However, as budgets reset, it also presents an opportunity to reassess and streamline supply chain operations.Conscious buying is on the agenda for many businesses as consumers look to make more thoughtful purchasing decisions. In fact, research has shown that according to consumers, sustainable procurement results in as much as a 15 to 30% increase in brand value.This is only putting more pressure on businesses to ensure that their suppliers are sustainable and are aligned with their values and own sustainability ambitions.When it comes to meeting socially responsible commitments, for example, procurement can make or break a business’ sustainability trajectory, with up to 90% of a company's carbon footprint linked to its supply chain. With so much pressure on businesses to be more socially responsible, procurement needs to take the lead on not only ensuring that expectations are met, but that purchasing processes also support the long-term growth of the company against established targets.The case for more sustainable procurement is strong, but how can businesses reflect this priority in their supply chain? Following recent research from Amazon Business, which reveals that 49% of procurement professionals see the complexity of their supply chain as a major obstacle at work , here are some ways to spring clean your supply chain and align with sustainable growth ambitions for the new financial year.

1. What businesses don't know will hurt them as AI raises the bar for reporting

The complexity of supply chains often leaves valuable purchasing data lying dormant across different tools and platforms. With so much data to manage, it is no wonder that businesses can struggle to keep tabs on inventory, spend, shipping routes and supply chain disruptions.It is essential that procurement teams have visibility of where exactly their vulnerabilities lie and the impact they might have on the wider business. Put frankly, measurable progress towards sustainable procurement goals is not achievable without the right data, and the tools to make it seen.AI can provide a major competitive advantage here with the ability to use large language models (LLMs) and cognitive analytics to recognize and predict patterns in purchasing data. Natural language processing (NLP) then allows procurement teams to interact with this data, ask it questions, and pull-out actionable insights.For example, procurement leaders can use AI tools to estimate the carbon footprint of a product, helping to map its environmental impact and assess its performance against internal criteria for sustainable purchasing – unlocking a new level of data-driven decision making.It is clear that there is appetite for AI innovation as 96% of procurement professionals have plans to invest in AI tools. By embracing advancements in real-time data analytics, businesses can have access to the data they need to stay one step ahead of changes in their supply chain.

2. A diverse supply chain is a strong supply chain

With pressure on businesses to be more sustainable in their purchasing, an overhauled supply chain should focus on diversifying supplier relationships and investing in partnerships with local and small businesses. In fact, achieving a broad supplier base is cited as a top priority for the majority of UK procurement leaders as a way to ensure resilience in supply and distribution.By making sure the business is not reliant on a limited pool of suppliers, procurement teams can be more assured of the continued growth and performance of their department, in turn contributing to more reliable results for the business. A diverse supply chain also allows for greater flexibility in the long term, making it easier for businesses to adjust and refine their supplier base as goals and ambitions change.With this in mind, variety can be an effective solution for managing a volatile global landscape. By encouraging businesses to prioritize more local suppliers and minimize transportation costs, a diverse supplier base also indirectly helps businesses to play a part in the circular economy and cut down on emissions.

3. Stay on track with universal standards and purchasing policies

Whilst a diverse supplier base can increase supply chain resiliency, managing a dispersed network might sound like an overwhelming logistical challenge, adding even more admin to procurement teams’ day-to-day system maintenance. This is where digital tools and platforms such as Amazon’s Business ‘Guided Buying’ feature are transforming the future of procurement, establishing a ‘one-stop shop’ for business purchasing that frees up time and capacity for time-stretched procurement teams.By setting up simple policies across the organization, ‘Guided Buying’ helps employees identify which sellers are preferred by their organization, as well as sellers that might be restricted or blocked. Visual signposts make this a natural part of the decision-making process and takes the guessing game out of compliance.Creating clear guidelines for business purchasing can also prove to be a significant time-saver for businesses as reporting requirements become tighter under new and developing regulations such as The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) (5). As social value weighting becomes a necessary part of managing bids and tenders, early adopters of purchasing policies will benefit from a more consistent and reliable track record of purchasing that aligns with social value ambitions.The new financial year will no doubt present procurement teams with a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. By focusing on cleaning up their supply chain, improving supplier diversity and organizing internal processes, businesses can put themselves in the best position to proactively respond to these changes. Making an investment now in a transparent, resilient and data-forward procurement strategy, will pay off for businesses in the long term, unlocking savings in cost, sustainability, and efficiency.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

From DeepSeek to Anthropic’s Computer Use and ChatGPT’s ‘Operator,’ AI tools have taken the world by storm, and this may be just the beginning. Yet, as AI agents debut with remarkable capabilities, a fundamental question remains: how do we verify their outputs?The AI race has unlocked groundbreaking innovations, but as development surges ahead, key questions around verifiability remain unresolved. Without built-in trust mechanisms, AI’s long-term scalability — and the investments fueling it — face growing risks.

The Asymmetry of AI Development vs. AI Accountability

Today, AI development is incentivized for speed and capability, while accountability mechanisms lag behind. This dynamic creates a fundamental imbalance: verifiability lacks the attention, funding and resources needed to keep pace with AI progress, leaving outputs unproven and susceptible to manipulation. The result is a flood of AI solutions deployed at scale, often without the safety controls needed to mitigate risks like misinformation, privacy breaches and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.This gap will become more evident as AI continues to integrate into critical industries. Companies developing AI models are making remarkable strides — but without parallel advancements in verification, trust in AI risks being eroded. Organizations that embed accountability from the outset won’t just mitigate future risks; they’ll gain a competitive advantage in a landscape where trust will define long-term adoption.AI’s rapid adoption is an incredible force for innovation, but with that momentum comes the challenge of ensuring robust verification without slowing progress. Rather than leaving critical concerns for later, we provide a seamless path to integrate verifiability from the start — so developers and industry leaders can move full speed ahead with confidence. The current AI gold rush has unlocked massive opportunities, and by closing the gap between capability and accountability, we ensure that this momentum not only continues but strengthens for the long term.

Verifiability as a Catalyst for AI’s Future

Recently, many were surprised when one of the largest tech companies in the world pulled the plug on its AI features. But as AI capabilities expand, should we really be caught off guard when verification challenges surface? As AI continues to scale, the ability to prove its trustworthiness will determine whether public confidence grows or diminishes.Recent surveys indicate that skepticism is rising, with a significant portion of users expressing concern over AI’s reliability. The next evolution of AI requires accountability to grow in tandem with development, ensuring trust scales with innovation.The future of AI needs to be reframed: The question is no longer just ‘Can AI do this or that?’ but rather ‘Can we trust AI’s outputs?’ By embedding trust and verification into AI’s foundations, the industry can ensure AI adoption continues to expand with confidence.But to return to the fundamental question at hand: how? More precisely, how do you know if the information generated from AI is accurate? How can the privacy and confidentiality of that information be verified? Anyone using ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity or Claude, among countless others, has faced these questions. Addressing them requires leveraging the latest advancements in cryptographic verification.

Enter zkML: A Framework for AI Trust

AI’s ability to generate complex outputs is growing exponentially, but verifying the accuracy, security and trustworthiness of these outputs remains an open challenge. This is where zero-knowledge machine learning (zkML) presents a breakthrough solution.Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), originally developed for cryptographic security, provide a way to prove the validity of an AI-generated output without revealing the underlying data or model details. By applying these techniques to machine learning, zkML ensures that AI-generated outputs are produced as expected while preserving privacy and integrity.Inference generated using zkML confirms that AI models operate as intended, while verifiable AI training ensures that the training data remains untampered. Additionally, private input protection allows AI to be leveraged securely without exposing sensitive information, and compliant, confidential AI helps meet regulatory requirements while preserving data confidentiality. This means AI systems can prove their outputs — without disclosing the full details of their processes, including model weights.Unlike traditional verification methods that rely on centralized oversight or controlled environments, zkML enables decentralized, trustless verification. This allows AI developers to demonstrate the authenticity of their models without requiring external trust assumptions, paving the way for scalable and transparent AI verification.

The Future of AI Trust Hinges on Verifiability

AI’s credibility hinges on its ability to prove its outputs are trustworthy. The industry has an opportunity to integrate verifiability now — before trust erodes.A future where AI operates without trust mechanisms will struggle to scale sustainably. By integrating cryptographic verification techniques like ZKPs, we can create an AI ecosystem where transparency and accountability are built in, not an afterthought.Verifiable AI is more than a theoretical solution; it’s the next frontier of AI innovation. The shift toward verifiable AI is not only necessary — it’s the next step in ensuring AI’s long-term success. The time to act is now.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Hoo boy, it's almost time to deal with the fallout from last week's episode of The Last of Us season 2.Indeed, with viewers proclaiming that episode 2's shocking moment "ruined my entire week, month, and year", this season's third chapter is sure to be a solemn and anger-filled affair.So, when will The Last of Us TV show's next episode be available to watch? And where will it be streamable in the US, UK, and Australia? You'll get the answers you seek in this article, as well as a complete rundown of season 2's full release schedule for the weeks ahead. Wipe away the last of those tears, dear reader, and proceed when you're ready.

What is the release date and time for The Last of Us season 2 episode 3 in the US?

Tommy is going to be hurting for many, many reasons in this season's third entry (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

The next installment of The Last of Us' sophomore season will air at 6pm PT / 9pm ET on Sunday, April 27.Just like this installment's first two episodes, you can watch it on Max if you're subscribed to one of the world's best streaming services. Alternatively, those who aren't can catch it on Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) linear TV channel – that being HBO.

Where can I watch The Last of Us season 2 episode 3 in the UK?

Ellie is going to need Dina more than ever after what happened to Joel in season 2's last episode (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

UK fans can tune into Sky Atlantic and Now TV to watch episode 3 of The Last of Us' second season. It'll be a late night or very early morning for those of you who want to watch it as soon as it drops, too, with the show set to return on Monday, April 28 at 2am BST.

When does the next episode of The Last of Us season 2 air in Australia?

Jesse is as unimpressed as the rest of us over the week-long wait for episode 3 (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

One of the best Max shows will return for its latest chapter Down Under on Monday, April 28 at 11am AEST.With WBD's main streaming platform launching in Australia last month, Max is now the primary home for The Last of Us TV series. However, anyone who's signed up to Foxtel can also stream HBO's live-action adaptation of Naught Dog's multi-award-winning video game series on this service, too.

When do new episodes of The Last of Us season 2 come out?

So long, Joel (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

There'll be four more episodes of The Last of Us season 2 to enjoy (if that's the right word to use) before the critically-acclaimed and hugely popular TV program leaves our screens once more. Here's when you can watch that quartet:

Episode 1 – out nowEpisode 2 – out nowEpisode 3 – April 27 (US); April 28 (UK and Australia)Episode 4 – May 4 (US); May 5 (UK and Australia)Episode 5 – May 11 (US); May 12 (UK and Australia)Episode 6 – May 18 (US); May 19 (UK and Australia)Episode 7 – May 25 (US); May 26 (UK and Australia)

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New Netflix movies haven't been released as frequently as they have been in the past. In fact, because of the lack of original films launching on the platform, it's been a month (!) since I last updated this guide.Thankfully, the launch of a new action crime-thriller, one starring Tom Hardy no less, means I can give this Netflix guide something of a spring clean. Below, you'll find a short list of the latest new movies to be released on the best streaming service.Bear in mind, though, that this article only contains Netflix Originals. If you want a wider selection of great films to choose from, our best Netflix movies piece should be your next port of call. First, though, read this article to see if any of Netflix's most recent movie releases are worth streaming.

New Netflix movies: April

Havoc

Release date: April 25Runtime: 107 minutes Age rating: 18 (US and UK)Cast: Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Luis Guzman, Richard Harrington, Xelia Mendes Jones, Justin Cornwell, and Forest WhitakerDirector: Gareth EdwardsRT score: 68% (critics); TBC (audience)Tom Hardy teams up with The Raid director Gareth Edwards for an incredibly violent action thriller that, at the time of this article's latest update (April 25), has been received pretty well by critics.In it, Hardy plays Walker, a bruised detective who fights his way through the criminal underworld of his city to not only rescue a politician's son, but also evade the numerous gangs who'd love nothing more than to take his head.We sat down with Hardy and Edwards to discuss all things Havoc-related, including the possibility of the pair making another movie together, how Edwards and his stunt team crafted the film's epic action set-pieces, and why Hardy considers Havoc to be his most physically challenging flick yet. So, read those pieces before or after you've seen it.

Watch Havoc on Netflix

New Netflix movies: March

The Life List

Release date: March 28Runtime: 125 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)Cast: Sofia Carson, Kyle Allen, José Zúñiga, Sebastian de Souza, and Connie BrittonDirector: Adam BrooksRT score: 45% (critics); 71% (audience)After playing a supporting role in Carry-On, aka one of the most-watched Netflix Movie Originals of all-time, in late 2024, Sofia Carson steps into a lead acting role with The Life List.In it, Carson plays Alex who, after losing her mom, is reunited with a bucket list that Alex wrote when she was a lot younger. Thus begins a journey of self-discovery and ticking off a bunch of things she was always too afraid to do.As has become par for the course for many films that Netflix makes, reactions to this one have been mixed. That said, The Life List is one of the most-watched Netflix films of 2025, so it's clearly struck a chord with plenty of people.

Watch The Life List on Netflix

The Electric State

Release date: March 14Runtime: 128 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, and Alan TudykDirector: Joe and Anthony RussoRT score: 15% (critics); 69% (audience)Where do I even begin with this expensively assembled (it reportedly cost $320 million!) waste of time? Rather than smack you over the head with reasons why it's a movie-based stinker, go and read my review of The Electric State to see why it's well worth its abject RT critical score.It's a darn shame that the Russo brothers' latest movie is trash. Based on Simon Stalenhag's graphic novel namesake, its dystopian and mysterious world, intriguing premise, and stacked talented cast mean this should've been a shoo-in for one of the all-time great Netflix movies. Instead, it's best consigned to the scrap heap. A shocking mess of a movie that's timely in its exploration of artificial intelligence, but one that doesn't even use real, fully-functioning robots.

Watch The Electric State on Netflix

What new Netflix movies will be released throughout 2025?

The Old Guard 2 will finally make its Netflix debut in early July (Image credit: Netflix)

Want the lowdown on all of the new Netflix movies that'll be released before 2025 ends? Read on for more details, including when some of them will actually land on the streaming titan:

Exterritorial (April 30)The Biggest Fan (May 1)Lost Bullet 3 (May 7)Nonnas (May 9)Fear Street: Prom Queen (May 23)Off Track 2 (May 23)A Widow's Game (May 30)K.O (June 6)K-Pop: Demon Hunters (June 20)The Old Guard 2 (July 2)Brick (July 10)Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25)Fixed (August 14)The Thursday Murder Club (August 28)Frankenstein (November 2025, date TBC)10Dance (December 2025, date TBC)In Your Dreams (TBC)Jay Kelly (TBC)Madea's Destination Wedding (TBC)My Oxford Year (TBC)Night Always Comes (TBC)Pookoo (TBC)R&B (TBC)Ray Gunn (TBC)RIP (TBC)Straw (TBC)The Ballad of the Small Player (TBC)Troll 2 (TBC)The Twits (TBC)The Woman in Cabin 10 (TBC)The Wrong Paris (TBC)Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (TBC)

For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.

Google's report reveals worrying adoption gaps among UK workersThe Government should "guarantee AI training" for these workersEnabling the workforce to adopt AI effectively would account for half of the economic growth

A new report from Google has claimed the UK could potentially double its adoption of artificial intelligence, resulting in boosted productivity and an estimated £400 billion in economic growth.The company's latest AI Works report plays into the role of human workers in the successful deployment of AI – effective workforce adoption could account for £200 billion, or half, of the gains.However, as it currently stands, two in three UK workers have never used generative AI at work – a trend that's most prominent among "older women from lower socio-economic backgrounds."

Effective AI adoption

Google's report centers around the accessibility concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. Women over 55 are said to be four times less likely to use AI than men under 35, the report reveals.It doesn't all need to be lost hope, though, with the tech giant spelling out a handful of key considerations businesses can explore to boost adoption across all workers.The primary advisory is that workers need "permission to prompt" – giving workers explicit permission to use AI and setting out clear AI policies will help them to understand that AI's advantages are legitimate, fair and comparable to other internet-based tools.Google also noted that AI habits are easy to form, revealing that just a few hours of training can double daily AI usage, which remains high several months after that initial lesson. Consequentially, this habit formation leads to further exploration and encourages ongoing learning.Naturally, the report also explores how AI can save workers time – an average of 122 hours per year across all sectors, according to the figures, which exceeds the previously modelled 100-hour estimate.Finally, Google says that supporting workers with upskilling efforts can help to narrow adoption gaps."We want these pilots to encourage more leaders to act now and seize this opportunity to equip everyone with the skills needed to unlock economic growth and change ways of working for the better," noted Google's EMEA President, Debbie Weinstein.Google has also urged the UK Government to "guarantee AI training for all public sector workers."Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, committed to supporting the UK workforce: "We will support workers to develop the skills they need for jobs in and with AI, so that all parts of society can benefit from this technology."

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