Former OpenAI former employee Leopold Aschenbrenner spoke out about his firing.
Jaap Arriens/Getty
Leopold Aschenbrenner spoke about his firing from OpenAI's superalignment team in a podcast.
He said HR warned him after he shared a memo about OpenAI's security with two board members.
He said his firing was related to sharing a brainstorming doc with outside researchers.
A former OpenAI researcher opened up about how he "ruffled some feathers" by writing and sharing some documents related to safety at the company, and was eventually fired.
Leopold Aschenbrenner, who graduated from Columbia University at 19, according to his LinkedIn, worked on OpenAI's superalignment team before he was reportedly "fired for leaking" in April. He spoke out about the experience in a recent interview with podcaster Dwarkesh Patel released Tuesday.
Aschenbrenner said he wrote and shared a memo after a "major security incident" that he didn't specify in the interview, and shared it with a couple of OpenAI board members. In the memo, he wrote that the company's security was "egregiously insufficient" in protecting against the theft of "key algorithmic secrets from foreign actors," Aschenbrenner said. The AI researcher previously shared the memo with others at OpenAI, "who mostly said it was helpful," he added.
HR later gave him a warning about the memo, Aschenbrenner said, telling him that it was "racist" and "unconstructive" to worry about China Communist Party espionage. An OpenAI lawyer later asked him about his views on AI and AGI and whether Aschenbrenner and the superalignment team were "loyal to the company," as the AI researcher put it.
Aschenbrenner claimed the company then went through his OpenAI digital artifacts.
He was fired shortly after, he said, with the company alleging he had leaked confidential information, wasn't forthcoming in its investigation, and referenced his prior warning from HR after sharing the memo with the board members.
Aschenbrenner said the leak in question referred to a "brainstorming document on preparedness, on safety, and security measures" needed for artificial general intelligence, or AGI, that he shared with three external researchers for feedback. He said he had reviewed the document before sharing it for any sensitive information and that it was "totally normal" at the company to share this kind of information for feedback.
Aschenbrenner said OpenAI deemed a line about "planning for AGI by 2027-2028 and not setting timelines for preparedness" as confidential. He said he wrote the document a couple of months after the superalignment team was announced, which referenced a four-year planning horizon.
In its announcement of the superalignment team posted in July 2023, OpenAI said its goal was to "solve the core technical challenges of superintelligence alignment in four years."
"I didn't think that planning horizon was sensitive," Aschenbrenner said in the interview. "You know it's the sort of thing Sam says publicly all the time," he said, referring to CEO Sam Altman.
An OpenAI spokesperson told Business Insider that the concerns Aschenbrenner raised internally and to its Board of Directors "did not lead to his separation."
"While we share his commitment to building safe AGI, we disagree with many of the claims he has since made about our work," the OpenAI spokesperson said.
Aschenbrenner is one of several former employees who have recently spoken out about safety concerns at OpenAI. Most recently, a group of nine current and former OpenAI employees signed a letter calling for more transparency in AI companies and protection for those who express concern about the technology.
Elon Musk may build the Gigafactory of Compute in Memphis.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Elon Musk's xAI may build the world's largest supercomputer in Memphis, pending approval.
The multi-billion dollar project, called Gigafactory of Compute, could create hundreds of jobs.
Musk previously said the supercomputer will be online by fall 2025.
Elon Musk may have found a home for xAI's supercomputer.
The Musk-founded AI business is working with Memphis to make the Tennessee city the lead location of the world's largest supercomputer, referred to as the Gigafactory of Compute, according to a statement from the Greater Memphis Chamber on Wednesday.
The multibillion-dollar supercomputer would reportedly be powered by Nvidia's H100 GPUs, some of the most sought-after chips that power AI. The project could create hundreds of jobs, according to a report from the Memphis Business Journal.
"We had an ideal site, ripe for investment," Memphis Mayor Paul Young said in the statement. "And we had the power of our people who created new and innovative processes to keep up with the pace required to land this transformational project."
However, the partnership isn't fully official yet, with the project pending approval by the Memphis Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine, Tennessee Valley Authority, and governing authorities.
Still, if approved, the project will represent the largest investment in the city's history.
Ted Townsend, President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, told Business Insider there isn't a specific timeline yet, but xAI is moving at a "very aggressive" pace to reach their deadlines. Musk previously told xAI investors that he wants the supercomputer online by fall 2025.
"The focus is, and it will remain, to get this thing operating," Townsend said to BI.
Greater Memphis Chamber became involved with the process about 90 days ago, which Townsend said was recent, considering when xAI started looking.
The plan is for the company to occupy a former manufacturing facility, which may be the Electrolux Memphis facility, according to a report from the Memphis Business Journal. Townsend said he could not confirm the location for security reasons.
Details emerged just after news broke about Musk sending Nvidia chips meant for Tesla to X instead. The billionaire — who owns X and founded and runs Tesla — responded by saying Tesla had no place to send the pricey semiconductors, so they would have sat unused in a warehouse. Delaying the GPUs could set back Tesla's own supercomputer development.
Meanwhile, xAI announced just over a week ago that it raised $6 billion in its Series B funding round. The funding included $750 million which Musk personally invested and $250 million worth of computing power from X, according to The Wall Street Journal.
xAI did not respond to a request for comment from BI.
A former Meta employee has filed suit against the company.
NurPhoto/Getty
An ex-Meta employee filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit.
Ferras Hamad said he was fired after reporting bugs that stifled pro-Palestinian Instagram posts.
Meta claimed he was let go for breaching data policies.
A former Meta employee has filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the company, claiming he was fired for trying to resolve bugs that stifled pro-Palestinian posts on Instagram.
Ferras Hamad, a Palestinian American, accused Meta of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination, among other claims, according to the complaint he filed in California court on Tuesday.
Meta fired Hamas in February from his software engineering role on Meta's machine learning team, where he had worked since 2022 and received "glowing performance reviews," according to the lawsuit, which also accuses Meta of "callus, chronic, and consistent anti-Palestinian bias."
In October, shortly after Hamas attacked Israel, Meta "directly tasked" Hamad to investigate Instagram's filters on content coming out of Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine, according to the lawsuit.
Hamad raised concerns about content from "Palestinian Instagram creators and activists, whose posts had been curbed or censored, artificially limiting their reach," according to the complaint. At least one other Meta employee reported that a Palestinian creator was "not appearing in searches, while his content was concurrently mysteriously disappearing," the lawsuit says.
While investigating the "irregularities," Hamad says in the lawsuit that multiple employees outside his team told him to stop investigating the issue. In January, Meta notified him that he was the subject of an investigation. Days later, he was terminated, according to the lawsuit.
"The employee was dismissed for violating Meta's data access policies, which we make clear to employees will result in immediate termination," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. The spokesperson did not respond to other claims made in the lawsuit.
Israeli soldiers are seen near the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on March 4, 2024.
AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
Israel ran a secret influence campaign to gain US support for its war in Gaza.
Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs commissioned the $2 million scheme, The New York Times reported.
The campaign used hundreds of phony social media accounts to target US lawmakers and the general public.
Israel tried to drum up American support for its war in Gaza with a secret influence campaign targeting US lawmakers and civilians, according to The New York Times.
Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs commissioned the scheme and funded it to the tune of $2 million, hiring a political marketing firm called Stoic to carry out the operation on social media, Israeli officials told the Times.
With the help of AI, the campaign created hundreds of phony accounts pretending to be pro-Israel Americans on Facebook, as well as on X, Instagram, and YouTube, Meta announced in a report published last week.
Some of the accounts targeted over a dozen members of Congress — particularly Democrats like New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, and New York Representative Ritchie Torres — pressuring them to fund Israel's war in Gaza, the Times reported.
Meta said in its report that it had identified the disinformation campaign, which it linked to Stoic, and removed the accounts.
OpenAI also published a report last week announcing its own takedown of malicious actors connected to Stoic, which the company said was using ChatGPT to generate and disseminate content about the war in Gaza.
Israeli officials told the New York Times that the covert campaign began in October, shortly after Hamas' October 7 terror attack, in which militants took hostages and killed hundreds of people in a cross-border assault.
In its beginning, the operation sought out tech-savvy Israelis to become "warriors for Israel" and run "digital campaigns" to support the war in Gaza, the Times reported, citing messages it viewed from Israeli officials and recordings of meetings that were held.
But, Israel's plan hasn't had much success on social media. Both OpenAI and Meta said in their reports that the influence campaign hasn't generated meaningful engagement from real users.
It also doesn't appear to be changing the minds of average Americans. According to a Gallup poll conducted in March, 55% of Americans disapprove of Israel's war in Gaza — and just 36% approve, down from 50% in November.
Hamas-run Palestinian health authorities say Israel's attacks have killed more than 35,000 people, mostly civilians, since the war began, according to Reuters.
And Israel has said it isn't slowing down any time soon, despite a push by the Biden administration to reach a cease-fire. Hamas, meanwhile, also has yet to agree to terms on a deal to halt the fighting.
Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Madison Cowan attends the 2022 Alzheimer's Association Imagine Benefit in 2022.
JP Yim/Getty Images
Celebrity chef Madison Cowan has been evicted after avoiding rent for over four years.
Cowan used a pandemic moratorium and legal appeals to delay eviction from his Brooklyn apartment.
Landlord Gus Sheha told the New York Post that Cowan's $145,000 debt has impacted him financially.
A celebrity chef who skirted rent payments for four and a half years has officially been evicted from his Brooklyn apartment, according to media reports.
Madison Cowan, who won the Food Network's "Chopped" in 2010 and "Iron Chef" in 2012, had already vacated his Boerum Hill, Brooklyn apartment before the landlord and a city marshal arrived Tuesday morning to evict him under a court order, the New York Post reported.
Cowan first moved into the 1-bedroom $2,700/month apartment in October 2019, but he hasn't paid any rent since January 2020, the Post reported.
In his first few years of rent-free living, Cowan took advantage of a pandemic-era eviction moratorium, and when that expired, he avoided five eviction orders by repeatedly filing appeals, according to the outlet.
Cowan chose not to appeal the judge's sixth eviction order delivered two weeks ago, the Post reported.
Cowan — who has catered to celebs like Scarlett Johansson, Mos Def, and Halle Berry, according to his website — told the judge in May that he was "seriously impacted by the pandemic," WABC reported.
"I couldn't get a job," he said, according to WABC. "It all went away."
But the more than $145,000 he owes is seriously impacting his landlord, Gus Sheha.
"We're just happy that he is out," Sheha told The Post. "I would hope others see this and understand what type of tenant he was and are not left in the same position I was."
"Unfortunately, it is small landlords who get hurt the most here and could potentially go bankrupt when you have tenants not paying the rent for four and a half years," Sheha added.
Sheha told the Post that he doesn't expect to ever see any of the money Cowan owes him, adding that hiring another lawyer would be too expensive.
Issues between landlords and tenants have made national headlines this year.
According to the squatter, he had permission from the previous owner to remain in the home.
Unfortunately for the couple, New York City law grants those who live at a residence for more than 30 days temporary rights, as they are seen as tenants.
The couple has struggled to remove the squatter and have been countersued for harassment.
"I tried approaching the door, and it was a pretty big goat," he told Fox News. "It wasn't friendly either. I couldn't get past the damn goat."
And between October 2023 and February 2024, a group of squatters stayed in a 5,875-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills and were even making money by hosting parties and charging entrance fees that went up to $1,500. They also posted rooms for rent on Booking.com, charging $150 to $300 a night.
The four-bedroom home had a pool, a spa, and a cabana — a lush dwelling while not paying rent.
The Central Florida tourism board will vote on a development plan with Disney next week.
Local small businesses urged board members to approve the deal in a public hearing.
The proposed development deal could allow Disney to expand its existing Florida properties.
Local businesses are throwing their support behind Disney's $17 billion development deal, saying it could invigorate the local economy and boost sales.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's board of supervisors discussed the pending development deal in a 25-minute meeting on Wednesday at its Lake Buena Vista headquarters.
The development agreement could usher in a new era of expansion for Disney, which reigns king in Central Florida with its four major theme parks and deep ties in the community. The deal also symbolizes a detente between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who essentially commandeered control of the tourism district after a legal battle with the company.
During a public hearing, members of the Disney Springs food industry strongly urged board members to approve the agreement. Disney Springs is a shopping and entertainment complex with dozens of dining options.
Disney Springs in Florida.
Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images
George Miliotes, the owner and operator of Wine Bar George, said he and his wife's families have operated small businesses in the Central Florida region for decades.
"The one thing we're sure of is that investment and reinvestment guarantee growth and excellence," he told board members. "So, when we see the billion-dollar number in front of the investment that's on the table, we get very excited."
He added: "We know that we're securing the future if we make this investment."
A representative for three Disney Springs restaurants — Splitsville Luxury Lanes, Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew — took the podium next.
"I'm here because we support the agreement," she said. "It shows that the district and Disney are ready and willing to resume working together to do good things for the state of Florida."
She said the plan could bring more jobs to Central Florida, improve economic development, and attract more tourists.
"There's also a commitment to bringing infrastructure improvements in the district with contributions from both parties. This will benefit all of us that live and work in this district," she said.
A final vote on the development agreement is scheduled for June 12.
Mickey Mouse in a parade on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The development deal, viewed by Business Insider, would allow Disney to spend billions of dollars on Walt Disney World properties over the next 10 to 20 years.
Disney officials haven't shared how the large investment would be used, but an industry insider told the Orlando Sentinel that a fifth theme park might be on the docket.
The tourism board said the agreement would require Disney to create a local business hiring program for construction goods and services. The media conglomerate would also have to award a minimum of 50% of all construction work to local businesses.
A statement from the tourism board said Disney also agreed to fund at least $10 million in "attainable housing."
"With Walt Disney World's substantial investments, we anticipate economic growth, job creation, and support for local businesses, alongside environmental stewardship and workforce housing initiatives, benefiting Central Florida's community," the district administrator, Stephanie Kopelousos, said in a statement to BI.
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The best Apple Watch fits your budget and needs for health monitoring, fitness tracking, and general smartwatch functionality.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
Every Apple Watch is an extension of your iPhone that delivers notifications, takes or makes calls, sends messages, and shows you a variety of information depending on the widgets you choose. Each model, however, comes with (or without) various features, and their price tags reflect that fact. The best Apple Watch for you will fit your needs, whether it's health monitoring tools or an always-on display.
Our pick as the best Apple Watch for the vast majority of people is the Apple Watch Series 9. It features an always-on display, a fast processor, enhanced screen brightness, and a handy new single-handed gesture that improves accessibility. The second-generation Apple Watch SE is a more affordable and basic version of the Series 9 that doesn't include an always-on display or an ECG sensor. It's still a fantastic smartwatch for the price that comes with everything most people would ever need.
Best for fitness and outdoors: Apple Watch Ultra 2 – See at Amazon
Best overall
The Apple Watch Series 9 is our pick as the best wearable in Apple's lineup. No other wearable offers the same premium combination of smartwatch functionality, fitness and health tracking capability, and overall value as the Series 9.
Although the Series 9 isn't a massive leap over the previous generation Series 8, it did introduce a few new features, like a faster processor, on-device Siri access, SmartStack functionality, and a brighter display. Other additions include updated hiking and cycling feedback, more mental health tools, and a new ultra-wideband chip that greatly improves location accuracy.
The Series 9 boasts a fast, powerful processor, intuitive smartwatch functionality, and the useful new Double Tap Gesture.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
While those upgrades are useful, my favorite new feature is the double tap gesture, which allows you to interact with the watch by double-tapping your thumb and index finger. Doing this controls an app's primary button, so you can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, or snap a photo while in the camera.
The brighter screen is also a nice new touch, allowing for (even) better visibility in bright conditions, even if it wasn't much of a problem in the last few generations. The screen can also dim to one nit, which is especially useful in a movie theater or wherever darkness is key, like putting a baby in a crib (speaking from personal experience).
Another feature I found highly useful was the new Smart Stack display, which is essentially a customizable group of widgets accessible on the watch's home screen. These can include a glance at the weather, whatever calendar events you might have for the day, or even a snippet of the news.
Overall, the Series 9 is a powerful smartwatch. There are many differences when comparing the Series 9 vs. the Ultra 2, but the new Double Tap Gesture, brighter screen, Smart Stack display, and improved health and fitness tracking tools make the Series 9 noticeably more capable than the Series 8. These features make it the best Apple Watch you can buy. However, note that the blood-oxygen measuring feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 is currently disabled due to a patent dispute.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE is surprisingly affordable for such a feature-packed smartwatch and is, by far, the best Apple Watch for those on a budget. It's nearly, if not just as capable as the Series 9 and Ultra 2 for tracking fitness, sleep, checking notifications, taking calls, and ensuring you're OK with health and safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more.
The Apple Watch SE is notably missing an always-on display, which can be the biggest deciding factor whether you go for the SE or the Series 9 (or the Ultra 2). Compared to the Series 9, the SE doesn't feature an electrocardiogram sensor for ECG readings or skin-temperature sensors for advanced period tracking and additional sleep tracking measurements.
The second-gen SE is the best option for first-time wearers or casual users who won't be bothered by the lacking always-on display.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider
For first-time buyers, the SE will make you wonder how you ever lived without one. It's incredibly convenient to get notifications, send texts, make calls, and customize the Apple Watch face with all the widgets and information you find useful — and it does all this without you needing to pull out your phone.
At least, opting for the SE lets you get a better idea of the Apple Watch's baseline features starting at $249. From there, you can consider if features like always-on display and the latest health sensors are worth the upgrade. If not, then the second-gen SE is your best option.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn't represent a drastic improvement over its predecessor, but it did usher in a few new features designed specifically for the outdoor user. These include the brightest screen of any Apple Watch, which allows for improved visibility in bright light conditions, an upgraded altitude range, and new water sports features for scuba diving and freediving.
The Ultra 2 also shares some new features that debuted on the Series 9, such as the new double tap gesture, the new S9 processor, and on-device Siri access. The double tap gesture, specifically, improves the wearable's accessibility. With this feature active, users can simply double-tap their thumb and index finger to interact with the watch, be it to start or stop an alarm or pick up or end a phone call, among others.
Much of the rest of the Ultra 2 is rolled over from the original model, including its overall design, which features a corrosion-resistant titanium casing and a 49mm screen.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want longer battery life.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
Battery life is a major highlight of the Ultra 2, as it can last upwards of three days on a single charge, which is roughly double what we've gotten out of the Series 9. The exact amount of battery life depends on how often the GPS is used, and whether the Always-On display is on, but the difference in the frequency of charging the Ultra 2 compared to the Series 9 is apparent.
Arguably, the Ultra line's best feature, the unique Action Button, returns and functions the same on the Ultra 2 as on the previous model. It is still capable of starting and stopping workouts or being programmed to sync with various shortcuts.
The sum of these parts may not be enough to sway the casual user into spending $800 on the watch, but it remains a highly worthwhile tool for avid outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes. (Note that the blood-oxygen measuring feature on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently unavailable due to a patent dispute.)
Though it's possible to find refurbished and inexpensive versions of the Apple Watch Series 3, we wouldn't recommend it, namely because the model is discontinued and no longer supports the latest versions of WatchOS. It should go without saying that we don't recommend the Series 1 or 2 either.
If you can find Series 5 or 6 refurbished for between $100 and $150, they include an always-on display, a major advantage over the Series 4 and even the current SE. Plus, they'll have more life in terms of support and performance than the Series 4.
Still, buying an older refurbished Apple Watch could be more of a hassle than it's worth. Older models have shorter support windows than newer and current models, so you'd have to buy another Apple Watch sooner than you might want to if you want to keep up with security and watchOS updates.
What to look for in an Apple Watch
The latest Apple Watch models offer a fresh slate of worthwhile features.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
There are many reasons to buy one of the best Apple Watches; understanding them can help you know what to look for. Each Apple Watch is also among the best fitness trackers you can buy and offers unique health monitoring tools that can positively impact your wellness.
For health and fitness tracking, you'll want to review which model offers what sensors. The latest Apple Watch models include a heart rate monitor, the newest gyroscope, and a high-g accelerometer that powers Apple's Crash Detection feature.
For day-to-day tasks, you'll more or less get the same experience thanks to each watch supporting the latest WatchOS software. But if you want an always-on display, which we think could make or break a decision, you should consider the Series 9 as your best Apple Watch. Likewise, if you want the biggest screen and the best battery life, there's the Ultra 2.
After that, it's deciding whether you want the smaller or larger models of a specific Apple Watch series. It's mostly down to personal preference and your comfort levels, and it makes no difference to battery life. Larger screens make it easier to read and control with on-screen items, but smaller models are still large enough to offer a good experience.
How we test Apple Watches
We test Apple Watches by using them personally and putting them through a variety of objective tests.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
We can assess the best Apple Watch in a relatively short time thanks to our extensive personal experience with the wearables, as we've reviewed them professionally through the generations.
The best way to test these wearables is to wear and use them daily with an iPhone as if they were our own for at least a week, often longer. We focus on ease of use, performance, usefulness, features and sensors, battery life, and how their price relates to the overall experience.
During testing, we assess all these aspects during various activities, like a workout, running errands, lounging, sleeping, and traveling (when possible). We actively test notifications, calls, messages, settings and options, and customization, and we note where an Apple Watch excels or lacks.
We don't perform tests that could damage our review unit or ourselves (Crash Detection). At the same time, we don't take special care of our Apple Watch review units and subject them to typical wear and tear from normal usage.
We also look at how the new models compare to older models and lay out the benefits of upgrading from various older models. Looking at the specific model changes and upgrades year-over-year helps us choose the overall best models.
The best Apple Watch bands to buy
Choose the right Apple Watch band for your needs.
Business Insider
One of the Apple Watch's best features is its ability to use different watch straps and band types. This versatility allows you to swap on the best Apple Watch bands suited to a specific activity or event, such as a sports band for working out or a metal band for wearing to work.
For more style inspiration, check out our other band guides:
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular models?
A GPS-only model is cheaper than cellular models and lets you carry out tasks like receiving text messages, answering phone calls, and receiving notifications when it's connected and close to your iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi.
A GPS + Cellular model offers increased connectivity with the addition of built-in cellular. That means you can receive text messages, answer calls, and stream music — even if you don't have your iPhone with you. You just need to add the watch to your current carrier plan. Most carriers charge $10 a month for a watch-compatible cellular plan.
Does the Apple Watch use data?
Only the GPS + Cellular models with a separate data plan use data from your carrier if you don't have your iPhone nearby. Otherwise, Apple Watches are simply extensions of your iPhone and don't use more data than you would on your iPhone if it's nearby.
Do Apple Watches work with Android?
The short answer is no. An Apple Watch will not pair seamlessly with an Android phone. Even if you get a GPS + Cellular model that doesn't rely on an iPhone connection, an iPhone is required for setup and app downloads.
While the Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches, Android users should instead consider purchasing one of the best Android smartwatches to use something that's 100% compatible with their phone.
Is the Apple Watch waterproof?
No Apple Watch is "waterproof," but models have varying degrees of water resistance, which means they can sustain splashes and submersion down to a certain depth. The SE and Series 9 can go down as far as 50 meters, or around 164 feet. The Ultra 2 supports depths of 100 meters, or 328 feet, and 40 meters (131 feet) for recreational dives.
What is the best Apple Watch for kids?
If you want a way for your kid to stay connected without giving them a smartphone, an Apple Watch could be your answer. For kids, we recommend the second-generation Apple Watch SE in the 40mm, GPS + Cellular model. You can use Family Setup, which allows you to choose what apps and services your kids can access and who they can call or send messages to.
Is the Series 8 outdated with the release of the Series 9?
No, not at all. Although Apple no longer sells the Series 8, that doesn't mean it's no longer supported. The Series 8 is compatible with the latest operating system, WatchOS 10, which debuted alongside the Series 9 and Ultra 2, so many of the software features debuted on the latest models will also be available on the Series 8 once it upgrades to WatchOS 10.
How often should I upgrade my Apple Watch?
The decision to upgrade to a newer Apple Watch depends on several factors. First, is there a new feature native to one of the newer models you'd like to use? For instance, the new Double Tap Gesture released on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 can only be used on those models.
You may also consider upgrading if your watch isn't compatible with the latest operating system. Regarding the new WatchOS 10, any Series 4 or newer model is compatible.
Another reason you may want to upgrade is if you'd like to move from the Series line to the Ultra line. In this scenario, even Series 9 users may consider upgrading to the Ultra 2 to take advantage of its unique features, like its longer battery life, the useful Action Button, and the bigger design.
Best overall: Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a fast, powerful processor, intuitive smartwatch functionality, and the useful new Double Tap Gesture.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
The Apple Watch Series 9 is our pick as the best wearable in Apple's lineup not because it's a huge upgrade over its predecessor, the Series 8, but because it delivers one of the finest smartwatch experiences. No other wearable offers the same premium combination of smartwatch functionality, fitness and health tracking capability, and overall value as the Series 9.
Although the watch carries over much of what was already native to the Series 8, it did introduce a few new features. These include a fast new processor chip, on-device Siri access, SmartStack functionality, and a brighter display. Other additions include updated hiking and cycling feedback, more mental health tools, and a new ultra-wideband chip that greatly improves location accuracy.
While those upgrades are useful, my favorite new feature is the Double Tap Gesture which allows you to interact with the watch by double-tapping your thumb and index finger. Doing this controls an app's primary button, so you can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, or snap a photo while in the camera.
The brighter screen is also a nice new touch, as this allows for better visibility in high-lighting conditions. The screen can also dim to one nit, which is especially useful in a movie theater.
Another feature I found highly useful was the new Smart Stack display, which is essentially a customizable group of widgets accessible on the watch's home screen. These can include a glance at the weather, whatever calendar events you might have for the day, or even a snippet of the news.
The sum of these parts makes the Series 9 a powerful smartwatch. The new Double Tap Gesture, brighter screen, Smart Stack display, and improved health and fitness tracking tools make it noticeably more capable than the Series 8 — and give it the title of the best Apple Watch you can buy.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is nearly identical to the Series 9, and you may be able to find it for a lower price, whether new or refurbished.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
Although Apple discontinued the Series 8 in favor of the Series 9, it's still the same do-it-all wearable that nearly stands toe-to-toe with the new flagship. Slim bezels, check. Smooth performance, check. Always on display, check. All of Apple's latest health sensors, impressive battery life, and safety features like Crash Detection? Check, check, and check.
Better yet, the Series 8 is now the best discounted Apple Watch, costing roughly $319 for the 41mm model and $379 for the 45mm model, which puts it between the SE and Ultra models in terms of price and capabilities.
A display with an always-on option may sound minor but it's a quality-of-life feature that makes a big difference. It means you can glance at your watch to tell the time or check a notification without making a wrist gesture to wake the screen. It's handy whether you don't want to appear rude by checking your watch, or don't want to deal with inconsistent gesture recognition, which sometimes happens with the Apple Watch SE.
It also features Crash Detection, designed to automatically contact emergency services in the event of a car crash. The Series 8 is also compatible with a variety of the best Apple Watch bands, like sports bands, metal bands, and designer options (and make sure you clean your bands often, too).
Generally, there's a lot to love about the Apple Watch's latest operating system, watchOS 10, which is also compatible with the Series 8. The watch supports fast charging, which makes a meaningful difference if you need a quick top-off before you set off. All told, there's not a ton of difference between the Apple Watch Series 9 vs. the Series 8, so if you can find the Series 8 at a solid discount, it's worth every penny.
Best for athletes and adventurers: Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want longer battery life.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn't represent a drastic improvement over its predecessor but it did usher in a few new features designed specifically for the outdoor user. These include the brightest screen of any Apple Watch which allows for improved visibility in bright light conditions, an upgraded altitude range, and new water sports features for scuba diving and freediving.
The Ultra 2 also shares some of the new features debuting on the Series 9 such as the new Double Tap Gesture, the new S9 processor chip, and on-device Siri access. The Double Tap Gesture, specifically, is a great new feature that improves the wearable's accessibility. With this feature active, users can simply double-tap their thumb and index finger to interact with the watch, be it to start or stop an alarm or pick up or end a phone call, among others.
Much of the rest of the Ultra 2 is rolled over from the original model, including its overall design which again features a corrosion-resistant titanium casing and a 49mm screen. Though it features a raised lip around the display to reduce the risk of cracks and scratches, we do recommend picking up one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors to further protect the watch.
Battery life is a major highlight of the Ultra 2 as it's capable of lasting upwards of three days on a single charge, which is roughly double what we've gotten out of the Series 9. The exact amount of battery life depends on how often the GPS is used, and whether the Always-On display is on, but the difference in the frequency of charging the Ultra 2 compared to the Series 9 is apparent (be sure to calibrate your Apple Watch, as well).
Arguably the Ultra line's best feature, the unique Action Button, returns and functions the same on the Ultra 2 as it did on the previous model. It still is capable of starting and stopping workouts or being programmed to sync with a variety of shortcuts.
The sum of these parts may not be enough to sway the casual user into spending $800 on the watch, but it remains a highly valuable investment for avid outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes.
And if you already own an Ultra, or picked up the new Ultra 2, do take a look at our guide on the best Apple Watch Ultra 2 bands.
The Apple Watch SE is the best option for first-timers trying out the Apple Watch or casual users who won't be bothered by the lacking always-on display.
Antonio Villas-Boas
The Apple Watch SE is surprisingly affordable for such a feature-packed smartwatch and is, by far, the best Apple Watch for folks on a budget. It's just as capable as the Series 8 and Ultra for tracking fitness, sleep, checking notifications, taking calls, and making sure you're OK with health and safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more.
It compromises slightly on design with thicker borders around the display but we never found that it looked dated during testing. It's available in both 40mm and 44mm options.
If you're considering the Apple Watch SE, you're most likely looking at the Series 8, too. The most significant difference between the Apple Watch SE vs. the Apple Watch Series 8 is whether you're willing to pay more for a bigger display with an always-on option, plus electrocardiogram and skin-temperature sensors. Those looking for Apple's latest and greatest in health sensors should upgrade to the Series 8.
If those tools don't interest you, the SE is the best budget Apple Watch that's an ideal and affordable option.
For first-time buyers, the Apple Watch SE will make you wonder how you ever lived without one. It's incredibly convenient to get notifications, send texts, make calls, and customize the Apple Watch face with all the widgets and information you find useful — and it does all this without you needing to pull out your phone.
If anything, opting for the SE lets you get a better idea of the Apple Watch's baseline features starting at $249. From there, you can consider if features like always-on display and the latest health sensors are worth the upgrade. If not, then the SE is the best Apple Watch to buy.
Don't buy the Apple Watch Series 3 or older, even if you can get them for a very low price.
Hollis Johnson
Even though it's possible to find refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 for around $100, we wouldn't recommend it, namely because the Series 3 is discontinued and no longer supports the latest versions of WatchOS. It should go without saying that we don't recommend the Series 1 or 2 either.
The Series 4 still has some life in terms of support and performance, but it'll likely lose support soon — perhaps as early as September 2023 when Apple announces new Apple Watch models.
If you can find Series 5 or 6 for between $150 and $200 refurbished, they both include an always-on display, which is a major advantage over the Series 4, and even the current SE. Plus, they'll have more life in terms of support and performance than the Series 4.
You can even find the first generation Apple Watch SE for $200 new from Walmart. Even if you're spending $100 more than you would on a refurbished Series 3, it poses significantly better value with its newer processor and sleeker display.
What to look for in an Apple Watch
Certain Apple Watch models have health sensors that could make the decision for you, and the always-on display is a pretty big factor to consider.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
There are many reasons to buy one of the best Apple Watches, and understanding them can help you hone in on what to look for. Apple Watches are excellent for fitness and health tracking, as well as streamlining routine tasks and giving you access to your phone while it's in your pocket.
For health and fitness tracking, you'll want to review which model offers what sensors. All the best Apple Watch models include a heart rate monitor, as well as the latest gyroscope and high-g accelerometer that power Apple's Crash Detection feature.
The Series 8 and Ultra have expanded capabilities, including temperature sensors for ovulation tracking. Ultimately, you may decide that features like these are the deciding factor, and want to look into the best fitness trackers instead.
For day-to-day tasks, you'll more or less get the same experience thanks to each watch supporting the latest WatchOS software. But if you want an always-on display, which we think could make or break a decision, you should consider the Series 8 as the best Apple Watch for you. Likewise, if you want the biggest screen and the best battery life, there's the Ultra.
After that, it's deciding whether you want the smaller or larger models of a specific Apple Watch series. It's mostly down to personal preference and your comfort levels, and it makes no difference to battery life. Larger screens do make it easier to read and control with on-screen items, but smaller models are still large enough to offer a good experience.
How we test Apple Watches
The Insider Reviews team tests all Apple Watches.
Rick Stella/Insider
We can assess the best Apple Watch in a relatively short amount of time thanks to our extensive personal experience with the wearable, as well as reviewing them professionally through the generations.
The best way to test Apple Watches is to wear and use them daily with an iPhone as if they were our own for at least a week, often longer. We focus on ease of use, performance, usefulness, features and sensors, battery life, and how their price relates to the overall experience.
During testing, we assess all these aspects during various activities, like a workout, running errands, lounging, sleeping, and traveling (when possible). We actively test notifications, calls, messages, settings and options, and customization, and we note where an Apple Watch excels or lacks.
We don't perform tests that could damage our review unit, or ourselves (Crash Detection). At the same time, we don't take special care of our Apple Watch review units, and we subject them to typical wear and tear from normal usage.
We also look at how the new models compare to older models and lay out the benefits of upgrading from various older models. Looking at the specific model changes and upgrades year-over-year helps us choose the best Apple Watch.
The best Apple Watch bands to buy
Business Insider
One of the Apple Watch's best features is its ability to use different watch straps and band types. This allows you to swap the band to something best suited to a specific activity or event, such as a sports band for working out or a metal band for wearing to work.
The bands are easy to swap out, too. With a simple press of two buttons on the underside of the Apple Watch, the current strap slides out, allowing a different band to slot in.
For style inspiration, check out our guides to the best Apple Watch bands:
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular models?
An Apple Watch GPS-only model lets you carry out tasks like receiving text messages, answering phone calls, and receiving notifications when it's connected and close to your iPhone via Bluetooth or WiFi. GPS-only models are cheaper than cellular models.
A GPS + Cellular Apple Watch offers increased connectivity with the addition of built-in cellular. That means you can receive text messages, answer calls, and stream music — even if you don't have your iPhone with you. You just need to add the Apple Watch to your current carrier plan. Most carriers charge $10 a month for an Apple Watch cellular plan.
Does the Apple Watch use data?
Only the GPS + Cellular Apple Watch models with a separate data plan use data from your carrier if you don't have your iPhone nearby. Otherwise, Apple Watches are simply extensions of your iPhone and don't use more data than you would on your iPhone if it's nearby.
Do Apple Watches work with Android?
The short answer is no. An Apple Watch will not pair seamlessly with an Android phone. Even if you get a GPS + Cellular model that doesn't rely on an iPhone connection, an iPhone is required for setup. You also need an iPhone to download apps onto it.
No Apple Watch is "waterproof" but they are water resistant, which means they can sustain splashes and submersion down to a certain depth. The SE and Series 9 can go down as far as 50 meters, or around 164 feet. The Ultra 2 supports depths of 100 meters, or 328 feet, as well as 40 meters (131 feet) for recreational dives.
What is the best Apple Watch for kids?
If you want a way for your kid to stay connected without giving them a smartphone, an Apple Watch could be your answer. For kids, the best Apple Watch we recommend is the 40mm SE GPS + Cellular model. You can use Family Setup, which allows you to choose what apps and services your kids can access, and who they can call or send messages to.
Is the Series 8 outdated with the release of the Series 9?
No, not at all. Although Apple doesn't sell the Series 8 anymore, that doesn't mean it's no longer supported. This is especially true considering the fact the Series 8 is compatible with the new operating system, WatchOS 10, which debuted alongside the Series 9 and Ultra 2. This means that many of the new software features that debuted on the new models will also be available on the Series 8 once it upgrades to WatchOS 10.
How often should I upgrade my Apple Watch?
This depends on a few different factors. First, is there a new feature native to one of the later Apple Watch models that you'd like to use? For instance, the new Double Tap Gesture that was released on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 is only able to be used on those models.
You may also consider upgrading if your watch isn't compatible with the latest operating system. Regarding the new WatchOS 10, any Apple Watch that is a Series 4 or newer is compatible.
Another reason you may want to get a new Apple Watch is if you'd like to upgrade from the Series line to the Ultra line. In this scenario, even users of the Series 7 may consider upgrading to the Ultra to take advantage of its unique features like its longer battery life, the useful Action Button, and the bigger design.
Almost every Republican senator voted against a Democratic-led bill to protect the right to contraception on Wednesday.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
All but 2 GOP senators voted to block a Democratic bill to protect access to contraception.
Republicans say they're not actually against contraception but have other issues with the bill.
The vote was widely seen as a "show vote" that had little chance of becoming law anyway.
The Senate failed on Wednesday to advance a bill designed to protect access to contraceptives nationwide.
Just two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — voted with Democrats to advance the bill. Nine Republicans did not show up to vote.
The vote was teed up by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as part of an effort to highlight the different between the Democratic and Republican parties over reproductive rights ahead of an election where abortion is expected to play a major role.
Republicans derided the effort as a "show vote," arguing that no one is seriously interested in banning contraceptives such as condoms, Plan-B, or IUDs.
"Do people really think that even a significant minority of the Republican conference is against access to contraception?" said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. "I don't even want to get into what I don't like about the bill."
It's true that the effort is largely for show — Schumer and Democrats knew that the GOP-controlled House would not take up the legislation. To that point, the bill's "findings" section argues that access for contraception is "especially critical for historically marginalized groups" including "Black, indigenous, and other people of color," "immigrants," and "LGBTQ+ people."
While not necessarily untrue, it's not the sort of thing one would put in legislation designed to attract the support of conservative Republicans.
"It's a bill that has a lot of other garbage in it, and this is a messaging exercise," said Tillis.
But still — if Republicans aren't against contraception, why won't they just vote for the bill?
If you ask them, it mainly comes down to religious freedom.
'The number one issue with it'
The Democratic bill is designed to guarantee the right to access contraception, which was first established for married couples by the Supreme Court in its 1965 Griswold v. Connecticut ruling.
Some experts have since worried that right could now be at risk in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In his concurring opinion in that case, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that Griswold should be revisited.
But the bill includes a line stating that it "applies notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993."
That law essentially protects individuals' right to religious freedoms. Republicans argue waiving that law amounts to a "poison pill" in the bill that would force religious institutions to provide contraceptives.
"They've said basically, contraception is gonna be allowed everywhere, regardless of your faith, your background, your institution," said Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma. "That's the number one issue with it."
Like other Republicans, Lankford is also opposed to certain forms of medical care for transgender youth. The bill includes "sterilization" under its definition of contraception, which the Oklahoma Republican argued would interfere with state-level bans on gender-affirmed care for people under 18.
"This would remove that right from all those states to say they're protecting minors," said Lankford.
22 GOP senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, signed a statement on Tuesday, declaring that there's "no threat to access to contraception" and that the bill "infringes on the parental rights and religious liberties of some Americans."
Democrats have also attempted to pass similar legislation at the state level, but have been blocked by Republicans. Last month, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia vetoed a bill to protect access to contraception, arguing that it violated principles of religious freedom.
The Republicans who voted to block the bill
Here are the 38 GOP senators who voted to block the Right to Contraception Act:
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to "Wild Bill" Platoon, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment conduct electronic warfare training during Combined Resolve XV, Feb. 23, 2021 at the Hohenfels Training Area.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Julian Padua
Electronic warfare like what the world is seeing in Ukraine could be decisive in future wars.
US military leaders have been closely watching how electronic warfare is shaping the war in Ukraine.
The US needs to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum, or it will lose quickly, an Air Force officer said.
Future wars could be decided by electronic warfare like Russia and Ukraine are using right now to interrupt communications, defeat unmanned platforms, and even degrade precision weaponry.
For the US, if it doesn't dominate that invisibledomain and win the fight in the electromagnetic spectrum, it will "lose" and do so "very quickly," an Air Force wing commander said.
At the C4ISRNET Conference on Wednesday, US Army Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, and US Air Force Col. Josh Koslov, commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, discussed the challenges facing the US in the electronic warfare space and the efforts to find solutions to these problems.
"Electronic warfare is a fire," not unlike certain other weapons systems like artillery, Koslov said, "and the ability to integrate those fires in support the joint force's commander's scheme of maneuvers is more important now than ever."
A man holds a portable electronic warfare system at an event in Ukraine earlier this year.
Global Images Ukraine via Getty
Both Barker and Koslov noted that dominating the electromagnetic spectrum in a fight against near-peer adversaries like China and Russia would be a close one in a war and that the US must maintain the edge.
"The spectrum is a bad place to be second, and if we lose in the spectrum, or areunable to effect the spectrum, the joint force will lose, and we're going to lose very quickly," Koslov said.
Electronic warfare is a broad term for fighting involving elements of the electromagnetic spectrum. Increased US interest in it more recently has been driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where electronic warfare tactics, such as GPS spoofing and signal jamming, have shaped the fighting.
A soldier with the US Army's 1st Infantry Division trains on electronic-warfare equipment on September 6, 2019.
In March, Daniel Patt, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, wrote in a statement to Congress that the 155mm GPS-guided Excalibur artillery shell "had a 70% efficiency rate hitting targets when first used in Ukraine" but that "after six weeks, efficiency declined to only 6% as the Russians adapted their electronic warfare systems to counter it." Russian efforts have also impacted the GMLRS launched by the HIMARS and JDAMs.
Volunteers and Ukrainian military personnel attend a presentation of radio-electronic warfare (WB) and radio-electronic intelligence (PER) systems of the Ukrainian company Kvertus in Lviv region on May 28, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images
Patt explained that "the peak efficiency of a new weapon system is only about 2 weeks before countermeasures emerge." That information could prove vital for a future great-power fight against an adversary like China or Russia.
At the C4ISRNET conference, Barker called the electromagnetic spectrum another "terrain" of battle.
"We have to treat the EMS as terrain," he said. "You have to be able to hold terrain, you have to be able to maneuver inside of it, and you also have to be able to affect the enemy."
Barker mentioned a recent electronic warfare tabletop exercise, which looked at over 70 different capabilities spread across the joint force and how they fit into the various battlefield strategies and potential fighting scenarios.
A Russian R-330Zh Zhitel electronic-warfare jamming station during an exercise in July 2018.
Denis Abramov/Russian Defense Ministry via Mil.ru
He said the exercise helped them to identify "gaps we need to focus on," such as understanding more about what both allies and adversaries look like in the spectrum, as well as needing a "layered approach" to fighting electronic warfare. It's a complex problem, and he said there's no "silver bullet."
At the conference, both Barker and Koslov highlighted the importance of having systems communicate with one another about key data and noted that when the US acquires new technology from industry partners, prioritizing electronic warfare defenses and capabilities is vital.
Barker said "we're realizing that we have to build, essentially, an EW arsenal across the landscape to be able to go at these different kinds of threats."
Biden spoke so softly during a January meeting that some couldn't hear him, per The Wall Street Journal.
The White House meeting involved negotiations for additional funding for Ukraine.
Biden has sought to address concerns about his age by touting his administration's accomplishments.
President Joe Biden during key January negotiations for a Ukraine funding deal spoke so low that some attendees had difficulty hearing him speak, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The report comes as voter concerns about Biden's age remain a major issue impacting his reelection bid, with Democrats largely defending his performance while Republicans have continued to question the president's acuity.
The Journal reported that Biden took roughly ten minutes to slowly greet congressional leaders before the January White House meeting began, and once it started, the president then reiterated the need to support Ukraine — despite the general consensus in the room already being that additional funding was needed.
In the meeting, which was attended by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Office of Management and Budget director Shalanda Young, Biden read from notes and often deferred to staffers when he was asked questions, according to The Journal.
Biden during the meeting also closed his eyes for such a duration that some wondered if he had shut out the meeting, per the report.
"You couldn't be there and not feel uncomfortable," one attendee told The Journal. "I'll just say that."
It's a damning portrait for Biden — a leading negotiator throughout his decades-long career in Washington — as the 81-year-old president's fitness for office has been an issue that former President Donald Trump has sought to wield against him.
The White House strongly pushed back against the characterization of Biden as a poor performer, which spokesman Andrew Bates in a statement to the Journal said were "false and politically motivated claims."
"President Biden inherited an economy in free fall, fraying alliances, and a spiking violent crime rate, and he turned each around with his experience and judgment, delivering the strongest economic growth in the world, making NATO bigger than ever, and forcing violent crime to a near 50-year low," Bates added in a Wednesday statement.