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Imagine starting your workday not just with a cup of coffee and a laptop, but also with a digital colleague that’s already set up your priorities, analyzed critical data, and prepared actionable insights. This is the near-future reality of workplaces powered by AI agents, which are already demonstrating advanced capabilities unimagined previously.A day in the life with an AI agentTake, for example, a tax consultant in this future scenario. She’s a part of a global team that manages vast volumes of financial data for clients around the world. Every client expects speed, accuracy, and insight, and she has an AI agent that helps deliver exactly that. The consultant begins her day by greeting her AI agent, which has been trained to suit her work style. It’s already reviewed updates to tax policy across the globe and compiled a personalized briefing with key updates and client priorities.Throughout the day, the consultant and agent collaborate seamlessly. She speaks to the AI agent naturally, and it responds like a curious colleague, surfacing insights, raising considerations, and suggesting strategies, all informed by a memory of their working history. In meetings, the AI agent participates by summarizing discussions, scheduling follow-ups, and providing real-time data analysis.By the end of the day, the consultant had made faster, more informed decisions and had spent more time on meaningful client interactions, while the AI agent handled the heavy lifting in the background. It’s a knowledgeable partnership enhancing her day-to-day effectiveness.Agents are a new paradigm of computingBehind the scenes, we believe this agentic experience will be powered by a three-layer framework of AI agents: Functional agents, which handle specific, repetitive tasks, freeing consultants to focus on strategic work, e.g., automatically gathering client data, reviewing changes to tax codes, and drafting compliance reports.Optimization agents, which coordinate those tasks, dynamically adjust workflows to maximize efficiency, e.g., reallocating agent capacity during peak tax season and flagging high-priority clients based on filing deadlines or risk levels.Responsible AI agents, which oversee compliance, security, and ethics, e.g., ensuring the consultant’s AI tools remain audit-ready, adhere to client confidentiality rules, and avoid using outdated or unauthorized datasets.These agents go beyond assisting the consultant; they can work autonomously to complete a task. The consultant directs teams of agents, instructing them when they need a decision and quality checking the work. These hybrid human and agentic teams are underpinned by a responsible AI orchestration layer of technology, which manages the workflows within defined responsible AI principles.This isn’t just about a step-change in technology – more broadly, it’s a total transformation of how we engage with technology. Agentic AI makes work feel adaptive, conversational, and context-aware. It’s a new mode of working where digital systems anticipate needs, communicate, and take action in real-time.Preparing for the AI-enhanced workplaceAs AI-human hybrid teams become more prevalent, organizations must lay the groundwork to use agentic AI wisely and effectively. Success with the technology will depend on establishing a robust, responsible AI orchestration layer informed by strong governance frameworks, but above all, creating “AI-ready” data, which is the foundation of an agentic workforce.Without high-quality, well-structured, and trusted data, even the most sophisticated AI agents can falter. Equally, poorly governed AI agents – especially those interacting directly with customers, financial data, or regulated environments – can create reputational, legal, and operational exposure. Organizations need not just strong data governance, but clear accountability frameworks for how AI agents are deployed, monitored, and evolved over time.There’s also the critical human factor: if trust erodes due to unexplained errors or opaque behavior, adoption can stall or stop. Organizations are beginning to prepare their workforces for the agentic AI future by providing foundational AI learning and actively gathering feedback to improve adoption.Are you ready to welcome your new AI team members?For organizations preparing for an agentic workforce, there are clear foundations required for success: invest in data and infrastructure, define governance early, and proactively bring the leaders and employees on the journey.The potential in terms of productivity, experience, and growth with AI is material to every business. Execution, as always, is the challenge to achieve the promised value. Adopting AI isn’t just about providing the technology – it is also essential to create an “AI-ready mindset” where people are excited to learn new skills and feel a part of the transformative opportunities. Change management led by ‘AI-ready leaders’ is proving to be the key differentiator between businesses that excel with AI and those that struggle.The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.We've featured the best AI writer.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

Scattered Spider is no longer targeting retailers, Google claims"Multiple" intrusions have been spotted in the USInsurance companies now seem to be in the crosshairsThe notorious Scattered Spider cybercrime gang is apparently stepping away from attacking high-end retailers and has begun targeting insurance organizations in the US, experts have claimed.Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) cybersecurity researchers claim to have seen multiple attacks, and are now urging organizations to be on the lookout for potential threats."Google Threat Intelligence Group is now aware of multiple intrusions in the US which bear all the hallmarks of Scattered Spider activity. We are now seeing incidents in the insurance industry," chief GTIG analyst John Hultquist said in an email shared with TechRadar Pro.DragonForceScattered Spider is a “loosely knit” cybercriminal organization operating within a larger hacking community known as “the Com,” known for targeting one industry at the time.It recently targeted high-end retailers, mostly in the UK, including Harrods, M&S and the Co-op, and has also engaged with US companies, going for social engineering, SIM-swapping, and ransomware."Given this actor's history of focusing on a sector at a time, the insurance industry should be on high alert, especially for social engineering schemes, which target their help desks and call centers," Hultquist stressed.Although Google did not discuss who the victims are, The Register says two US-based companies recently reported suffering a cyberattack: Erie Insurance, and Philadelphia Insurance Company. Neither confirmed the incidents were the work of Scattered Spider, but the news aligned suspiciously well.The publication also says the crooks usually start their attacks with fake helpdesk calls, after which they trick the victims into granting access to their devices, which is later used to deploy the DragonForce ransomware encryptor.There are multiple ways to defend against ransomware attacks, but the best one is to raise employee awareness about phishing and social engineering, since most attacks abuse people, rather than systems.Via The RegisterYou might also likeThis wiper malware takes data destruction to a whole new levelTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

We now know that the 2025 edition of Amazon's blockbuster Prime Day sales event will start on July 8, and it's set to be bigger than ever as it will run for four days. But you don't need to wait until then for tasty deals. There will be plenty in the lead up to the event, including this one for the Levoit Core 400S air purifier. At $185, the device is $35 off.

It's not quite the lowest price we've seen for this model. However, it's not too far off that mark of $176.

The Levoit Core 400S is our current pick for the best air purifier overall. Sure, it might not have the prettiest design of all the options we have tested and the companion app might have a little too much going on. But the Core 400S does its job and does it well.

This smart air purifier is slated to clean the atmosphere in spaces of up to 1,733 square feet in as little as one hour. The Core 400S has a cylindrical shape with vents at the top and a touch display that shows air quality readings. You'll be able to get a sense of the current air quality in your space at a glance with a color-changing ring that will light up in blue, green, orange or red. The 360-degree filtration system is said to be capable of capturing over 99.9 percent of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust, pet dander and pollen.

There is an auto mode that should suffice for maintaining air quality, but the Core 400S is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls too. The fan isn't too loud, even when it's operating at maximum speed — the volume topped out at 62dB in our testing. Meanwhile, at $50 each, the air filter replacements aren't too expensive compared with those from many of Levoit's competitors.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-top-air-purifier-is-35-off-in-an-early-prime-day-deal-143224919.html?src=rss

There are a few undeniable truths in this world: the sky is blue, Mario Kart is always a good idea and Sony's 1000X line of headphones is amazing. The latter was proved true once again when Sony released the WH-1000XM6 edition of its wireless noise canceling headphones in May. The only downside is its price, coming in at $450 — $50 more than its predecessors launch price.

Amazon is throwing all of us a bone, though, and having a sale of sorts. Right now, you can get the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and a $30 Amazon gift card for $448. Yes, that is $2 less than the headphones on their own. It's no secret that the "bundle" serves as a nice incentive to buy Sony's new headphones from Amazon, but, hey, a $30 gift card never hurt anyone.

Sony released the WH-1000XM6 headphones three years after their predecessor, but the new model quickly proved to be worth the wait. We gave the M6s a 94 in our review thanks to features like improved sound and better active noise cancelation. One of the best things about this model compared to the M5s is the return to a folding design — I love my M5s but it's very annoying that they don't shrink at all. The M6s are also very comfy and have a wider headband for easy wear.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-includes-a-free-30-gift-card-when-you-buy-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-headphones-144511244.html?src=rss

There’s still a lot left to learn about OnePlus’ next mid-range smartphone, the OnePlus Nord 5, but following the phone’s official announcement earlier this week, we do at least know that it’ll look dramatically different to the OnePlus Nord 4.Last year’s model was heavily marketed as being “the only metal unibody 5G smartphone on the market” – according to OnePlus, the Nord 4 used “aircraft-grade aluminum” that made it “sleek, strong and less prone to shatter.” We agreed with that assessment in our OnePlus Nord 4 review, describing the phone’s metal frame as “a small touch that makes the Nord 4 look distinct and feel well-protected against drops and knocks.”Why, then, has OnePlus decided to do away with metal on the upcoming Nord 5? We put the question to OnePlus’ Chief Marketing Officer for Europe, Celina Shi, in an exclusive interview, and while she wasn’t able to share specifics about the Nord 5’s new design, she did shed some light on why OnePlus has chosen to ditch this seemingly once-important feature.“While I can't reveal specifics about the OnePlus Nord 5 series materials just yet, I can say that it won't be in a metal frame this year,” Shi explained. “Our design concept for all of our devices is grounded in consumer insight. Following a global survey conducted across Europe, North America, India, and China, we found that our target audience places strong emphasis on practicality in design.”“They consistently prefer styles that are brief, simple, and elegant. In response to this, in the OnePlus Nord Series this year, we are offering Nordic-inspired design that reflects these values and resonates with our consumers globally.”Image 1 of 2The OnePlus Nord 5 (left) and OnePlus Nord CE5 (right) (Image credit: OnePlus)Image 2 of 2The two-tone metal OnePlus Nord 4 (Image credit: Future)Presumably, OnePlus is referring to Scandinavian minimalism when it says “Nordic-inspired design” – and from the first teaser image we’ve seen of the upcoming Nord 5, it's certainly a more stripped-back affair than the two-tone Nord 4 (especially the Mercurial Silver model, which also sports an eye-catching ribbed pattern on its rear panel).The Nord 5’s colors, too, will likely be inspired by Nordic geography; we already know that the phone will launch in a shade called “Dry Ice”, for instance.And if you’re wondering whether the “Nord” name itself has any bearing on OnePlus’ latest design philosophy, it’s more of a happy coincidence. As OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei exclusively revealed to TechRadar back in 2020, “Nord” refers to both “North” in the navigational sense and OnePlus “going back to [its] true north” as a brand.But the absence of metal isn’t the only big design change coming to the OnePlus Nord 5. With the Nord 4, OnePlus flipped the script on previous Nord models by equipping it with a horizontal camera array, but the Nord 5 will once again sport a vertical camera layout.The horizontal camera array on the OnePlus Nord 4 (Image credit: Future)“With any smartphone, there is always negotiation between aesthetic design and what's physically possible within those parameters,” Shi explained in relation to the change. “As tech components evolve, so too will our design to make the best-looking products that function optimally.”“The camera module is vertical in the latest OnePlus Nord Series as this layout optimizes space within the device, allowing us to include a best-in-class chipset, battery, and screen within.”At the time of writing, we’re only privy to one of those “best-in-class” specs for the upcoming OnePlus Nord 5 – it’ll use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset – but here’s hoping we’ll hear more about this potential addition to our best OnePlus phones guide soon.You might also likeOnePlus Buds 4 revealed with high-spec dual DAC design and I’m impressedTwo months on, OnePlus has fixed my biggest problem with the OnePlus Watch 3‘It will take time for foldables to become mainstream’: OnePlus defends decision to delay the OnePlus Open 2 and bow out of the foldable phones race in 2025

Nissan has unveiled its third-generation Leaf EV with a completely new design. The 2026 model sheds the last vestiges of its original compact car body and leans fully into crossover SUV territory. The new look offers some design features that are commonly seen in the all-electric vehicle marketplace, allowing it to compete against other models in its class. These include available dual 14.3-inch displays, flush door handles for better aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries.

The new Leaf is also the latest EV to adopt the NACS charging port after Tesla made it open-source in 2022. Since then, just about every major automaker from Ford to Mercedes has adopted the standard, with these brands getting access to Tesla's Supercharger network on a rolling basis. For added convenience, a J1772 port, the most common standard for Level 2 chargers, is included on the driver's-side fender. The Leaf's video announcement highlights bi-directional V2X technology that allows drivers to power their homes, send power to the grid, or provide power when camping, though details are sparse.

In the same video, Nissan’s head of global design, Alfonso Albaisa, explains the lengths the company went to in making the car as aerodynamic as possible in order to achieve the car’s stated 300-mile range. The rear door handles, for instance, are built into the C-pillar, which could make for an awkward angle when trying to open the door with your hands full. The body of the Leaf has a chunky, SUV-like stance, with a wide front reminiscent of the Volkswagen ID.4. In the end, all these design choices helped the new Leaf reduce its drag coefficient by 10 percent from the previous generation.

Nissan

Nissan is also bringing the new Leaf's battery thermal management to par with other major EV brands, which will improve charging performance in cold weather. The car will capture wasted heat from the drive motor and the on-board charger, and use it to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature for charging. In frigid conditions it can also use the car's heat pump, and a dedicated battery heater to further maintain battery temperatures.

Design easter eggs throughout the car pay homage to the brand’s name by incorporating “2-3” iconography in the form of stripes, which are meant to represent the kanji writing of two and three in Japanese, pronounced “ni” and “san.”

The new Leaf is built on a 75-kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack and packs a 214-horsepower electric motor. It will be offered in a wide variety of color options along with a slew of optional features like 19-inch wheels, dimming panoramic roof and 64-color ambient lighting. Built-in Google integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Play Store into the Leaf is also an available option. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard on the Leaf S and S+. Nissan says a cheaper 52-kWh version with a 174-horsepower motor will become available at a later date.

This major redesign comes amid a turbulent last year for Nissan, culminating in its CEO stepping down after a failed merger with Honda. The automaker had previously gone through a downsizing last year as part of its mission to cut billions of dollars in costs.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms this fall, though pricing has yet to be announced.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/nissan-unveils-the-third-generation-leaf-ev-145620303.html?src=rss

WhatsApp is finally getting adsThey'll appear in the Updates tab, integrated with Statuses and ChannelsRegular chats won't be affected by the chnages, and are still privateIt’s official, WhatsApp’s latest update is bringing ads to the platform.My initial reaction to this news was dread that the conversations with my friends might be diluted by pop-ups like you see on Messenger (another Meta-owned messaging service). Thankfully, however, it looks like WhatsApp is keeping its adverts locked within its Updates tab. At least for now.In the Updates tab, you’ll find that both Channels and Statuses are getting the ad treatment. Channels are dedicated groups you can join, with hosts who send you messages and update. They’re popular among football teams, influencers and news outlets (in fact, we here at TechRadar have one you can join).The ads come in the form of new Promoted Channels, which will soon start to appear when you look through the directory. They'll be recommended to you based on what WhatsApp thinks you’ll find interesting, assuming the channel is paying to be promoted.Channels give you direct access to content, and fun extras like polls (Image credit: Future / Apple / WhatsApp)Statuses (basically WhatsApp Stories) are ways to share quick updates and highlights with friends and family. Now ads will appear as Stauses too – again being promoted to you based on your interests.On top of these changes, WhatsApp is adding Channel subscriptions. These aren’t ads, but are another (and in my opinion better) way to monetize WhatsApp.By paying a monthly fee you can support your favorite channel and get exclusive updates in exchange – a bit like you do through third-party services like Patreon or premium newsletters.WhatsApp has me hookedI'm not ditching WhatsApp, and I know it (Image credit: Shutterstock)After digging through the changes I’m generally less concerned than I was when i heard of the announcement.I rarely use the Updates tab, and as WhatsApp’s blog post explains “if you only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and loved ones there is no change to your experience at all.”Further down, it adds that these ads won’t affect your privacy either. “Your personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one (not even us) can see or hear them.”Meta explains that Status and Channel ads will be based on the limited information it does collect like where you’re from, the language your app is set to, which Channels you already follow, and how you engage with ads you are shown.If your WhatsApp is part of your Meta Accounts Center, it’ll also base its data on info from your other accounts.It’s really trying to hammer home that our chat data is just as secure as ever, and that non-Updates chats won’t be changed.Should I switch to Google Messages? (Image credit: Google)It feels like the start of a slippery slope to me, but like the rest of WhatsApp’s 3 billion monthly active users – a figure that makes it the world's biggest messaging platform – I know I can’t leave.That's not only because I don’t want to lose the chats and contacts I already have through the app (migrating everyone to a different service would be a Sisyphean task), but also because as someone who travels a lot it’s an excellent country-agnostic platform that has allowed me to make restaurant reservations, book taxis, and call a car repair company when I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.So for now I’m sticking with WhatsApp, but I’m also starting my hunt for a new service – even considering jumping back to classic text messages or Android’s Google Messages, which has received a fair few upgrades in the past few years.Even if things do get worse, I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave then either, but the best I can do is try.You might also likeGoogle Messages is finally rolling out its snooze function for chats – here’s how it worksThe AI arms race: why we need AI to fight AI attacksWhatsApp has just dropped support for these older iPhones and Android phones

Oracle Defense Ecosystem gives SMBs access to potential DoD contractsThe program includes access to office spaces, software and supportIts scope could extend beyond US DoD contractsOracle has launched a new program aimed at helping tech vendors, especially smaller firms, sell to the US Department of Defense (DoD).The launch of the Oracle Defense Ecosystem program comes amid a major restructuring of US government tech procurement, with many hyperscalers losing contracts as the Trump administration seeks to centralize purchasing and reduce expenditure.Although the companies that have traditionally sold to the government have been seen to be offering huge discounts to keep their government contracts, the time has also come for smaller companies to be in with a chance of winning bids.Oracle and US DoDAs part of the program, smaller vendors will get access to Oracle office spaces, discounts on Palantir's cloud/AI tools and Oracle's NetSuite software, and guidance on navigating the Pentagon's procurement processes.The company says the program has been designed to overcome the structural challenges small vendors often face compared to large defense contractors, effectively levelling the playing field.Initially, 10 companies, including Blackshar.ai, SensusQ, Metron and Arqit are participating, but signing up is free (backed by Oracle funding).The benefits extend far beyond boosting smaller tech firms, though, with the DoD also getting access to more advanced tech and a broader spectrum of offerings, and Oracle Cloud weaving its way deeper into defense operations – a win all-round, then.DOGE's focus on efficiency could further benefit Oracle by terminating legacy contracts – although the company trails far behind the likes of AWS and Azure in terms of market share, it sees opportunities in the AI and defense spaces.Speaking about the new program, Oracle VP Rand Waldron said: "Nothing is more important than the national security of the U.S. and its allies, and Oracle has been a cornerstone of this mission for nearly 50 years."The company's announcement also shows a clear intent to redefine national security innovation, supporting not just the US but also its allied nations, in digital and physical defense.You might also likeThese are the best cloud hosting providersAccess powerful chips via the best cloud computing servicesUS Department of Defense urged to address serious IT systems flaws