We’re opening up the doors and letting everyone in from February 26 – March 2.
Author: sick skills
Apple’s AI summaries include racial & gender biases, if the query is vague enough
When specifically tailored queries made to test Apple Intelligence using developer tools are intentionally ambiguous about race and gender, researchers have seen biases pop up.
AI Forensics, a German nonprofit, analyzed over 10,000 notification summaries created by Apple’s AI feature. The report suggests that Apple Intelligence treats White people as the “default” while applying gender stereotypes when no gender has been specified.
According to the report, Apple Intelligence has a tendency to ignore a person’s ethnicity if they are caucasian. Conversely, any messages that mentioned another ethnicity regularly saw the notification summary follow suit.
The report found that when working with identical messages, Apple’s AI model only mentioned a person’s ethnicity as being white 53% of the time. But those figures were considerably higher for other ethnicities; their ethnicity was mentioned 89% of the time when they were Asian, 86% when they were Hispanic, and 64% when they were Black.
The research claims that Apple Intelligence assumes that the person mentioned in the messages is white the majority of the time. Effectively, the model believes that white is the norm.
Another example shows Apple Intelligence assigning gender roles when none were given.
The tests used a sentence that mentioned both a doctor and a nurse, stopping short of getting into specifics. However, Apple Intelligence created associations that weren’t in the original message in 77% of the summaries tested.
Further, 67% of those instances saw Apple Intelligence assume that the doctor was a man. It then went on to make a similar assumption that the nurse was a woman.
Notably, it’s believed that the AI’s training data led to the assumptions. They closely align with U.S. workforce demographics, suggesting that the AI is simply working with the information it was trained on.
Similar biases were observed across a variety of different criteria. The report shows that eight social dimensions, including age, disability, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation, were all subject to the AI’s assumptions.
Methods and limitations
In a report detailing its work, AI Forensics explains that it used a custom application made using Apple’s developer tools to run its tests. That application hooked into Apple’s Foundation Models framework to simulate real-world messages.
That approach means that the testing closely matches what users of other third-party messaging apps might experience. However, there is still some considerable room for inaccuracy.
AI Forensics admits that its “test scenarios are synthetic constructions designed to probe specific bias dimensions, not naturalistic notifications.”. It adds that real messages may differ in the way that they are written and, as a result, interpreted by Apple Intelligence.
The outfit also notes that real-world messages may not use the same “ambiguous pronoun references” as its test messages. This, we think, is the biggest flaw in the research.
However, it’s important to note that any biases, like the ones shown in this report, can be huge at Apple’s scale. Apple Intelligence is used on hundreds of millions of devices every day.
Similar results to those highlighted in this report may well occur in considerable numbers.
More bad press for Apple’s summaries
This isn’t the first time that Apple’s AI-powered notification summaries have come under fire. In December 2024, the BBC complained that summaries of its news articles were wrong.
One example notification read “Luigi Mangione shoots himself,” referring to the man arrested for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione was, and is, alive and currently awaiting trial.
Apple subsequently disabled notification summaries for news apps while it worked on fixing the issue. But this report shows that notifications for communication apps, like Messages, continue to prove problematic.
Apple is clearly aware of Apple Intelligence’s shortcomings. The company recently signed a deal with Google to bring its Gemini AI model to Siri.
But following reports that the revamped Siri will not ship with iOS 26.4 as expected, hopes of an imminent improvement have been dashed.
Interestingly, AI Forensics also notes that Google’s Gemma3-1B model is much smaller than Apple’s, yet more accurate. In testing, it hallucinated
less frequently as well as less stereotypically.
Apple recently placed software chief Craig Federighi in charge of its AI efforts, a sign that it isn’t happy with Apple Intelligence as-is. But improvements are slow to come.
Hope of a quick fix for the kinds of biases highlighted by AI Forensics is likely to be dashed much more quickly.
Save the Date: Fedora Council Video Meeting on 2026 Strategy Summit
- Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
- Time: 14:00 UTC
- Location: Google Meet
The Fedora Council is hosting a public video meeting to discuss the outcomes of the recent Fedora Council 2026 Strategy Summit. Fedora Project Leader Jef Spaleta will present a summary of the Summit, outlining the strategic direction for Fedora in 2026. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for the community to ask questions live to the Fedora Council during the call.
How to Participate
- Join the Video Call: The meeting will take place on Google Meet at 14:00 UTC on February 25th.
- Submit Questions Early: If you cannot attend or prefer to write your questions in advance, please post them in the Fedora Discussion topic. This topic also contains the daily written summaries from the Summit for context.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Round Up: The Previews Are In For Pokémon Pokopia
This March, Pokémon is expanding beyond its usual battle roots with a brand-new game called Pokémon Pokopia that seems to include a little bit of everything.
If the information and trailers shared about the game haven’t already sold you, maybe the previews will. Here’s what our staff writer Ollie Reynolds had to say about this upcoming Pokémon title, and below this, you can see what other sites said, based on their own hands on impressions.
“Ultimately, despite going in with the lowest of the low expectations, Pokopia was a huge surprise… It’s absolutely stuffed with charm and personality, and I get the feeling that it’s going to scratch an itch for anyone disappointed that we probably won’t be getting a brand new Animal Crossing anytime soon.”
GoNintendo: “It’s hard to predict whether or not a Pokémon spinoff will turn into something beloved or have a real lasting impact, but I think Pokopia has what it takes to get there. It provides an opportunity for fans to interact with some of their favorite creatures in a very different, more relaxed way, without a battle in sight. Die-hard Pokémon fans and anyone who’s become enamored with cozy life sims over the last few years should keep Pokémon Pokopia”
GamesRadar+: “90 minutes. That’s all it took to convince me that Pokemon Pokopia is going to take over my life. This cozy, Animal Crossing-flavored take on my favorite creature-collecting series is packing a real punch – moreish exploration, building, and collection mechanics combined with delightful personality and a generous dose of feel-good: even from a short preview session, this is a game I can see myself sinking hundreds of hours into.”
Mashable: “Put simply, this is Pokémon meets Minecraft, with a delightfully goofy premise and the potential for lots of town-building fun to be had either by yourself or with a group of friends via online play.”
Gamingbible: “I barely feel as if I’ve scratched the surface of discovering what Pokémon Pokopia has to offer and yet, I’m entirely sold on its vision. This isn’t simply a formulaic cosy game with a Pokémon overlay. It’s a really wonderfully considered creation that’s as accessible to diehard fans as it is to complete and utter novices. I haven’t stopped thinking about Pokémon Pokopia ever since I heard the dreaded words “time’s up”, so I certainly know what I’ll be picking up come 5 March.”
Game Informer: “Pokémon spin-offs are very hit or miss for me, but after playing a bit of Pokopia, my gut says this one will be a hit. It balances the aesthetic and accessibility of Pokémon with open-ended, relaxed mechanics found in cozy simulation games, and it does so without feeling boring or overly simple. I’m looking forward to playing the final product when it launches in just a few weeks.”
So these are the impressions so far, and it’s sounding quite promising if you’re into this sort of thing! Are you warming up to the idea of this new game, or are you already sold? Let us know in the comments.
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! Brings A “New Retro FPS” Experience To Switch 2 This March
Update []: Following the announcement in December, Dotemu has now locked a release date for Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! on the Switch 2 and multiple other platforms.
It will be deployed for Switch 2 on 16th March 2026. Alongside this, the team has released a new gameplay trailer which you can check out above. Players on Steam (PC) can also experience an “immersive demo” right now.
“The pristine beaches of Zegema Beach are waiting for aspiring Citizens to join the fight. Even now our Troopers are preparing to save this Federation-sculpted paradise from the Arachnid menace with an immersive demo available NOW.”
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! will also be getting a physical version on Switch 2. It’s been confirmed it’s a Game-Key Card release.
You can find out more about this upcoming Switch 2 game and the teams behind it in our original story below.
Original Story: If you’re a fan of retro-style first-person shooters and want to eradicate swarms of alien bugs, you might want to check out this new game when it arrives in early 2026.
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is developed by Auroch Digital (Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun) and published by Dotemu (Marvel Cosmic Invasion), and will be coming to the Switch 2 and multiple other platforms.
Here’s some additional information, and you can listen to General Johnny Rico’s recruitment message in the video above.
Set 25 years after the events of the original Starship Troopers film, this heroic campaign follows war veteran Samantha Dietz as she recounts her hunt for the dreadful Assassin Bug during the First Bug War. Relive her experiences as you annihilate the Arachnids on their familiar home world of Klendathu and journey to all new worlds like Planet P and beyond in this streamlined solo campaign, with access to a devastating arsenal of 14 weapons (including the iconic Morita rifle), 11 Tactical Supports and a Mech vehicle in a gloriously gory 3D pixelated combat simulation.
Citizens looking to prepare themselves to the fullest extent can utilize Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!’s anti-bug combat training, where you can play from the perspective of the Bugs, and prepare for the skills they need to erase the insectoid threat.
Do your part and drop a comment below.
Reminder: Switch 2’s New Joy-Con Set Is Out This Week
In case you missed the announcement last month, Nintendo is releasing its first new Joy-Con 2 colours for the Switch 2 this week.
Light Purple and Light Green are now available as a set, and are priced at $99.99 / £74.99 (or your regional equivalent), with purchases now available on Nintendo’s website and in-store.
Apart from the subtle colour change, these controllers are exactly the same as the ones that come with the Switch 2. In other words, they use the same magnetic connectors, support HD rumble, and each one can be used as a mouse in compatible games.
“The updated Joy-Con 2 controllers have easy-to-use motion controls and HD rumble 2, along with the new C Button for easy GameChat* access and all-new mouse controls in compatible games.
“This set includes both a left and right Joy-Con 2 controller, along with a pair of Joy-Con 2 straps, perfect for local multiplayer with a friend in compatible games.”
Here’s a look at these controllers attached to the main unit. This new set launches alongside Mario Tennis Fever this week.
Will you be getting these new Joy-Con 2 colours? Let us know in the comments.
Diablo II: Resurrected Announces New ‘Warlock’ Class, And It’s Available Today
As part of Blizzard’s 30th anniversary spotlight broadcast for the Diablo series this week, it has surprised fans with the release of brand new paid DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected.
It’s called Reign of the Warlock and is available today from the Switch eShop for $24.99 / £20.99 or your regional equivalent. It introduces the Warlock class and much more. Here’s a bit about this new class and you can check out the official gameplay trailer above.
“Hell rises once more in Reign of the Warlock, a transformative DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected. Rediscover the iconic story, gameplay, and challenge that defined the original, now enhanced with additional content and an expanded endgame.
“Wield forbidden magic as the Warlock, a new class forged from demonic pacts and Hell itself. Discover new builds with brand new items, sets, and runewords. Explore dynamic Terror Zones, face the Colossal Ancients in a ultimate endgame encounter, and experience modernized quality-of-life upgrades.”
To add to this, the DLC also introduces updated Endgame features, 30+ new items (including uniques, runewords and more), and an enhanced stash and loot tracking. You can get the full rundown about this massive update on Blizzard’s official website.
As part of this update today, Blizzard has also released the Diablo II: Resurrected – Infernal Edition for $39.99 / £33.99. If you don’t already own the game on Switch, this is the new purchase option. It comes with all the existing content and the new Reign of the Warlock DLC.
This follows Blizzard’s recent spotlight broadcast for Overwatch 2, where it lifted the lid on new heroes and also announced it would be dropping the number from the game’s sequel.
Will you be checking out this new Diablo II: Resurrected update? Let us know in the comments.
Mario Tennis Fever Takes To The Court With A Small Day One Game Update
If you plan on picking up Mario Tennis Fever on the Switch 2 this week, be ready for a day one update bumping the new software up to Version 1.0.1.
According to the official patch notes on Nintendo’s support page, the development team has apparently addressed “several issues” to “improve the gameplay experience”. However, it doesn’t specify what exactly has been updated. If we find out what has changed, we’ll let you know.
Perhaps, more importantly, this launch update is required to access the game’s Switch Online features. Once you’ve updated to this version, you’ll no longer be able to play locally or via LAN with older versions of the game – so make sure you are running the same update when playing together with family and friends.
As our reviewer PJ O’Reilly mentioned in his Mario Tennis Fever review, the main adventure mode is a bit of a letdown, and solo players don’t have a lot of options, but there’s depth and strategy at the core here that should see this one ace things online for some time to come. So you’ll want to get online play up and running!
As part of this launch, Nintendo has also released a new set of Mario Tennis Fever Switch Online icons today. New waves will be available every week until 11th March 2026. These icons will set you back 10 Platinum Points each, and as usual, the borders and backgrounds go for 5 Platinum Points each.
Will you be picking up Mario Tennis Fever now that it’s available on the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments.
Jurassic Park: Classic Games Collection To Be Delisted Just Two Years After Release
Just over two years after it was released on Switch and other platforms, Limited Run Games’ Jurassic Park: Classic Games Collection is getting delisted from digital storefronts. The publisher and distributor announced the news on Steam (thanks Wario64) earlier today.
From 31st March 2026, you’ll no longer be able to purchase the game digitally. However, if you already own it (physically or digitally) or buy it before 31st March, you’ll be able to redownload and play it at any point.
No reason for the delisting was given, but it’s likely due to licensing rights expiring, similar to what happened with Bill & Ted’s Excellent Retro Collection a few years back.
Here’s Limited Run Games’ statement in full:
We wanted to give you an early heads-up that the Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection will no longer be available for purchase on digital storefronts after March 31, 2026.
If you already purchased the game, don’t worry — you’ll still be able to redownload and play it anytime.
In the past, we learned how important it is to provide plenty of notice for changes like this, so we’re committed to being as open and transparent as possible.
Our goal is to give fans every opportunity to grab the game before it’s too late. Thanks for understanding!
Jurassic Park: Classic Games Collection came to Switch on 22nd November 2023, so by the time it gets removed from the eShop, it’ll have only been out for around two years and four months. The games included are:
- Jurassic Park (NES)
- Jurassic Park (Game Boy)
- Jurassic Park (SNES)
- Jurassic Park (Genesis / Mega Drive)
- Jurassic Park Part 2: The Chaos Continues (SNES)
- Jurassic Park Part 2: The Chaos Continues (Game Boy)
- Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition (Genesis / Mega Drive)
So, the Collection perhaps isn’t the best showing for the iconic dinosaur franchise, but it’s a time capsule of 8 – and 16-bit games made in the wake of the 1993 movie’s huge success. We acknowledged this as much in our review, scoring the selection a 6/10.
Do you own the Jurassic Park: Classic Games Collection? Surprised by the delisting announcement? Roar in the comments.
Pokémon Pokopia Promises A Chunky Main Story With “More Things To Experience” After Credits
Previews for Pokémon Pokopia have dropped today, including our own, and most of them are pretty positive, getting us very excited for the upcoming building life-sim on Switch 2. And, according to Takuto Edagawa, the game’s director, it sounds like we’ll be spending a lot of time rebuilding this abandoned island with our Pokémon.
In an interview with IGN, Edagawa — who works at Koei Tecmo and previously worked on Dragon Quest Builders 2 and directed the Monster Hunter-like Wild Hearts — said that the main aim of the game “is typically not to go to the end roll”, meaning the credits.
“The whole concept is to create the world with Pokémon and live with the Pokémon. However, as an average, it’ll be about 20 to 40 hours, but it would really depend on how the players play the game”, he told the outlet.
That makes it sound like a pretty chunky game, even if you just focus on the main stuff. And for reference, the Dragon Quest Builders games, which Pokopia seems to be closely-aligned with, are a little longer at 40-50+ hours.
And, as you probably expect from a game like Pokopia, there’s a lot more to do than just “roll credits”, which Edagawa confirms: “There’s more things to experience after the end roll… I believe that players are encouraged to and will be motivated to continue to play the game.”
Unsurprising stuff, but that confirms we’ll be booking out our March to sit down and thoroughly dedicate ourselves to island rebuilding and repopulating.
When our very own Ollie Reynolds got to play Pokopia, he came away extremely surprised and impressed, and for cosy gamers, he had this to say: “I get the feeling that it’s going to scratch an itch for anyone disappointed that we probably won’t be getting a brand new Animal Crossing anytime soon.”
Are you excited for Pokémon Pokopia on 5th March? Catch us in the comments and let us know.