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A Silly Yet Soulless Examination of AI

Published

12 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Let me start this review by saying it’s certainly my most “old man yells at cloud” take about a movie crafted in Blumhouse’s makeshift genre movie factory to draw in crowds of adults and tweens alike. M3GAN 2.0 is designed to be a ridiculous crowd pleaser, the Terminator 2 to M3GAN’s Terminator. While the scope has widened into something much more epic, nothing quite helps this movie from feeling like A Product. We are being sold repackaged memes and soulless dialogue wrapped up in an exaggerated girl power aesthetic that never feels authentic. Sure, it’s fun. But at what cost?

Two years after the violent events of M3GAN, Gemma (Alison Williams) has made a new career for herself speaking out about the dangers of article intelligence and how to protect our children from the dangers of technology. Cady (Violet McGraw) is still processing what happened, but has grown up to be a tech-loving teenager who is fascinated with the possibilities of the digital world. As the two still struggle to connect, Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno), an android manufactured to be the ultimate weapon, sets off on a journey to kill those who created her and unleash a power that would destroy humanity as we know it.

The only way to stop her? Bring M3GAN back, who, unsurprisingly, was never really gone thanks to the power of AI and the cloud.

Also Read: ’28 Years Later’ Review: Visually Stunning, Narratively Stunted

So, it’s up to Gemma, Cady, and Gemma’s teammates Tess and Cole (Jen Van Epps and Brian Jordan Alvarez, respectively) to build the android a new body and help save the world from utter destruction. It’s a familiar narrative, but wrapped in forced witty quips about girl power and bright pink outfits. It’s cheap cotton candy, sweet for a moment, then dissolves quietly into nothing in the back of your throat. There’s no denying there’s comedy and skill on display here, it’s just a shame it’s been polished into something that feels manufactured rather than crafted.

Sakhno steals the show as Amelia, bringing the uncanny to terrifying and violent life with her deadly and disconnected take on the fembot. She crafts a badass villain that can take down any enemy without a care in the world, and her scenes in particular spike the film with excitement. It’s a sugar-coated spy thriller with a dash of artificial intelligence that wants to cater to horror audiences of all ages. I’m just not sure how well its inauthentic tone stuck with viewers.

Also Read: ‘Please Don’t Feed the Children’ Review: Aimless Dystopian Horror

Sure, we can take M3GAN 2.0 at face value as another genre blockbuster engineered to bring in audiences (which this, unfortunately, did not, bringing in a modest $37 million against a budget of $15–25 million). But what about the marketing dominated by “hold onto your vaginas” and M3GAN showing her support for the trans community? This embrace of femininity and the trans community is, on the surface, something to celebrate, even if it’s coming from a fictional murderbot.

But it’s also a calculated attempt from Blumhouse to seem inclusive without actually enacting real change in their practices. If they make this fictional child-like android an ally while also pushing this girl power narrative, then they’ve done their job in supporting marginalized groups. I’ll never disavow support for trans people, especially now, but it’s time to go deeper than just having your horror icon say that she supports the dolls in a fake interview during her fake press tour.

M3GAN 2.0 is mindless entertainment, an unnecessary extension of Blumhouse’s original viral hit. If there were less focus on crafting memeable bites and lines that are written to be described as “iconic,” then there would be a little more soul to its story and dialogue. The production design is incredible, and Sakhno’s performance is scene-stealing, but that’s not enough to keep this sequel from feeling overstuffed and undercooked. I think it’s time we put M3GAN back in her box and let her rest for a while.

M3GAN 2.0 is in theaters and available now on VOD.

Summary

M3GAN 2.0 is repackaged memes and soulless dialogue wrapped up in an exaggerated girl power aesthetic that never feels authentic.

Categorized:Reviews

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Brand Stories

AI isn’t just for coders: 7 emerging non-tech career paths in artificial intelligence

Published

2 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Admin 5

7 emerging non-tech career paths in artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is no longer the future. It’s already shaping how we live, work, and learn. From smart assistants to personalised learning apps and automated hiring tools, AI is now part of everyday life. But here’s something many students still don’t realise — you don’t have to be a computer science genius to build a meaningful career in AI.In 2025, AI needs more than just coders. It needs people who understand ethics, design, communication, psychology, policy, and human behaviour. Whether you’re studying law, liberal arts, design, economics, or media, there is space for you in this fast-growing field. These emerging roles are all about making AI more responsible, more human, and more useful.Here are seven exciting non-tech career paths in artificial intelligence that you can start exploring now.

AI ethics specialist

AI systems make decisions that can affect real lives — from who gets hired to who receives a loan. That’s why companies and governments need experts who can guide them on what’s fair, what’s biased, and what crosses a line. Ethics specialists work closely with developers, legal teams, and product leaders to make sure AI is built and used responsibly.Best suited for: Students from philosophy, sociology, law, or political science backgroundsWhere to work: Tech companies, research institutes, policy think tanks, or digital rights NGOs

AI UX and UI designer

AI tools need to be easy to use, intuitive, and accessible. That’s where design comes in. AI UX and UI designers focus on creating smooth, human-centered experiences, whether it’s a chatbot, a virtual assistant, or a smart home interface. They use design thinking to make sure AI works well for real users.Best suited for: Students of psychology, graphic design, human-computer interaction, or visual communicationWhere to work: Tech startups, health-tech and ed-tech platforms, voice and interface design labs

AI policy analyst

AI raises big questions about privacy, rights, and regulation. Governments and organisations are racing to create smart policies that balance innovation with safety. AI policy analysts study laws, write guidelines, and advise decision-makers on how to manage the impact of AI in sectors like education, defense, healthcare, and finance.Best suited for: Public policy, law, international relations, or development studies studentsWhere to work: Government agencies, global institutions, research bodies, and policy units within companies

AI behavioural researcher

AI tools influence human behaviour — from how long we scroll to what we buy. Behavioural researchers look at how people respond to AI and what changes when technology gets smarter. Their insights help companies design better products and understand the social effects of automation and machine learning.Best suited for: Students of psychology, behavioural economics, sociology, or educationWhere to work: Tech companies, research labs, social impact startups, or mental health platforms

AI content strategist and explainer

AI is complex, and most people don’t fully understand it. That’s why companies need writers, educators, and content creators who can break it down. Whether it’s writing onboarding guides for AI apps or creating videos that explain how algorithms work, content strategists make AI easier to understand for everyday users.Best suited for: Students of journalism, English, media studies, marketing, or communicationWhere to work: Ed-tech and SaaS companies, AI product teams, digital agencies, or NGOs

AI program manager

This role is perfect for big-picture thinkers who love connecting people, processes, and purpose. Responsible AI program managers help companies build AI that meets ethical, legal, and user standards. They coordinate between tech, legal, and design teams and ensure that AI development stays aligned with values and global standards.Best suited for: Business, liberal arts, management, or public administration studentsWhere to work: Large tech firms, AI consultancies, corporate ethics teams, or international development agencies

AI research associate (non-technical)

Not all AI research is about coding. Many labs focus on the social, psychological, or economic impact of AI. As a research associate, you could be studying how AI affects jobs, education, privacy, or cultural behaviour. Your work might feed into policy, academic papers, or product design.Best suited for: Students from linguistics, anthropology, education, economics, or communication studiesWhere to work: Universities, research labs, global think tanks, or ethics institutesThe world of AI is expanding rapidly, and it’s no longer just about math, code, and machines. It’s also about people, systems, ethics, and storytelling. If you’re a student with curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a passion for meaningful work, there’s a place for you in AI — even if you’ve never opened a programming textbook.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.

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Google AI Mode is getting a bigger AI brain from Gemini

Published

3 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Eric Hal Schwartz

Google has upgraded its AI Mode with the advanced Gemini 2.5 Pro
AI Mode has also added Deep Search, which can now run hundreds of background searches
A new calling tool built into Search lets Google call businesses on your behalf

Google is continuing to try to get you to use its AI Mode when searching online with new and enhanced AI tools. The conversational search tool has made Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model available in AI Mode, along with the long-form report writing tool Deep Search.

Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. who are also part of the AI Mode experiment in Search Labs will now see an option to choose Gemini 2.5 Pro when asking tough questions as well.

This is the same heavyweight model behind Google’s most advanced AI tools. They’ll also have the option of using Deep Search, a feature available in the regular Gemini app that can simultaneously run hundreds of searches and will write up a report piecing together the information.

The more profound changes, though, are in how Search itself is evolving. Gemini 2.5 Pro doesn’t just fetch answers. It reasons. It explains math in full steps. It even writes code and tells you what that code is doing. And when paired with Deep Search, it can essentially conduct a research marathon on your behalf.

AI calling in

The new call feature for Search is something entirely different. It connects your search for information about a store to a phone call with AI. As Google shows in a demo, you can type “pet groomers near me” and ask for information not immediately accessible.

Instead, you can tap “Have Google call for you,” which will prompt Google to call local shops, ask about availability or rates, and then text or email the results directly to you. If that sounds like Google Duplex, that’s because Google’s Duplex technology powers it.

Of course, all this comes with a few asterisks such as having to pay for a subscription. Free users still get some limited AI call attempts, but the advanced AI Mode tools are reserved for paying customers.

Google’s advantage over other AI developers is the sheer size of its Search database, so even as OpenAI and others attempt to produce similar products, Google might have a lasting edge. Still, there’s a learning curve.

AI that does too much too fast can lead to problems. You don’t want your research assistant skipping over credible sources in favor of a Reddit thread with 38 upvotes. And you certainly don’t want your AI calling the wrong person to schedule a colonoscopy.

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Teachers gather to talk artificial intelligence in the classroom

Published

5 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Nicki Marker

HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — Our world is constantly evolving, and lately, a lot of that evolution has been in the form of artificial intelligence.

“This is the future,” Kala Grice-Dobbins said. “It’s not going away, and we want our teachers to be informed, but also our students to be informed.”

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Grice-Dobbins is a cybersecurity teacher with the Madison County School System.

Thursday, more than 150 teachers from across North Alabama gathered to talk about AI and the use of it in the classroom.

“It’s clearly a novel technology– new for kids, new for teachers, and they’re trying to figure out how to use it,” Randy Sparkman said. “So we’re just trying to bring resources and bring these, Madison County districts, particularly, together to talk about strategies for using AI in the new school year.”

Sparkman is a part of Mayor Tommy Battle’s AI task force. They put on the AI in education event.

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Grace-Dobbins said she uses AI for help with things like lesson plans and recommendation letters.

“All of us use templates every day,” she said. “Why can’t it be our template to start with, and then we edit it because nothing’s perfect when it comes out.”

She said it’s easier than you think to spot students plagiarizing by using the tool.

“It’s not going to be your top of the line type paper,” she said. “It’s not going to be written in their kind of language. It’s not going to have their kind of thoughts involved, and so the more you know your students, you’re going to know this is not you.”

Angela Evans is also a teacher. She said she’s already been using AI in her classroom for years.

She has a message for those who may be skeptical. What she’d tell people.

“Don’t be scared because change is nature,” she said. “We are going to progress our humanity. Our intelligence is going to continue to progress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.

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