News

Some AI bots are actually human workers in the Philippines

Human supervision needed

Published

December 9, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

At the start of the year, the rise of artificial intelligence sparked an important question for the future of labor. Will AI eventually replace our jobs? After a year of strikes and security issues, it’s clear that the technology still has some ways to go. Now, a new report has revealed a strange truth about the AI industry.

May I take your order?

In the United States, Presto Automation, an artificial intelligence company, prides itself as an instrumental tool in reducing human labor time. The company specializes in providing AI-based solutions to drive-thrus. Instead of relying on humans employees to take customer orders at a drive thru, food establishments with the technology, such as Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, can use automated software to do the same.

However, according to Bloomberg, the truth is less than glamorous. A recent filing with the Security and Exchange Commission revealed that over 70 percent of customer interactions done through Presto Automation is actually mediated by “off-site agents” in other countries including the Philippines.

While the main technology is still automated, the company still needs human intervention to ensure accurate orders. Also, while the SEC is investigating the company, Presto Automation recently changed its business description to reflect the need for “advanced human supervision.” It formerly claimed that the technology needs no human intervention at all.

Presto Automation isn’t even the first AI company to actually use off-site agents for their operation. Another company, ConverseNow, is also doing the same thing. Last year, Nate, an automated shopping platform, was caught for reportedly hiring workers in the Philippines to manually complete orders.

AI-based outsourcing

Automation is certainly changing the world for good or for ill. However, the technology is still far away from achieving its founders’ goals of replacing human labor. Beyond that, it’s also light years away from a more humanistic goal: replacing humans but allowing those same humans to still flourish on their own.

At this stage, AI-based automation is still following the same trends of late-stage capitalism. Companies are still outsourcing work from other countries. Whenever you order something online or through an automated platform, there’s a chance that someone from somewhere far away is behind your latest order.

Gaming

Bloodborne is getting an R-rated animated film adaptation

And it’s going to be produced by Sony and Jacksepticeye.

Published

April 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

FromSoftware fans are eating well these days. Though gamers are still anticipating the arrival of The Duskbloods on the Switch 2, the studio’s other franchises are getting well-deserved nods for adaptations: Sekiro, Elden Ring, and now, Bloodborne.

Sekiro has already been slated for an anime adaptation for a while now. Meanwhile, Alex Garland recently confirmed that he is adapting Elden Ring for A24. Today, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the studio is working on an R-rated animated film based on Bloodborne.

Via Variety, Sony Pictures president Sanford Panitch says that the upcoming adaptation will keep the game’s essence of horror and gore. With a name like “Bloodborne,” you can’t have an adaptation without a heaping of blood.

Besides Sony, the animated project has another big name attached to its production: YouTuber Jacksepticeye. Throughout his career, the creator has been vocal about considering Bloodborne as his favorite game of all time. He even has a tattoo of the Hunter’s Mark on his forearm. For this project, Jack will be a co-producer.

Though the creator’s skill in filmmaking is still a relative unknown, Jack’s love for the game should give the project a gamer’s voice. If anything, Markiplier’s recent Iron Lung adaptation offers optimism that YouTubers can also create decent films.

Gaming

Xbox CEO admits Game Pass is too expensive right now

Her statement was clear in a leaked memo.

Published

April 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Formerly a cheap and convenient way to enjoy content, today’s subscription services are anything but affordable. Signing up for so many services can quickly pile up and rob you of a significant chunk of your monthly salary. Today, recently instated Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has surprisingly agreed with the sentiment and called out the Game Pass for being “too expensive for players.”

While today’s subscriptions still conveniently collate a swath of content under one roof, their service providers continuously up their prices for no reason or, worse, for the promise of AI features no one asked for. The Game Pass is no different after a series of price hikes have placed the service beyond what budget-conscious players might call justifiable.

As of late, Sharma has been adamant about the resurgence of Xbox as a worthy competitor to the PlayStation and the Switch. She even teased the platform’s next generation as a device that can also play PC games.

Today, in a leaked memo (via The Verge), Sharma has reportedly admitted to the ongoing pitfalls of the Game Pass system.

“Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around,” she said.

A simple price cut still seems like a lot to hope for. Xbox might also introduce a new tier that might reduce the price at the expense of some features. At the very least, Xbox’s new head recognizes the problem of an overly expensive subscription.

News

vivo V70 FE pre-orders now open, starts at PhP 25,999

Offers, perks available throughout pre-order period

Published

April 13, 2026

GadgetMatch

vivo has officially opened pre-orders for the vivo V70 FE, the more affordable follow-up to the vivo V70 launched last February.

The pre-order period is until April 24 and the midrange smartphone is available in two memory configurations:

8GB+256GB: PhP 25,999
12GB+256GB: PhP 29,999

Customers who place pre-orders at vivo stores nationwide will receive:

limited-time vivo VIP Card with a 6-month extended warranty and 6-month broken screen insurance
limited edition vivo Buds Air3
PhP 1,000 discount

Customers can also bring home the vivo V70 FE for as low as PhP 37/day with 0% interest installment plans up to 18 months via Home Credit.

In addition, Globe has been tapped as the official network partner for a free prepaid SIM with 1-year unli 5G.

The vivo V70 FE has a POP MART Zsiga Exclusive Photo Border, thanks to its partnership with the IP. You may recall that the vivo V70 also released an exclusive Golden Hour colorway earlier.

The device is built for creators with a 200MP main camera, which can deliver portraits at different focal lengths, including an 85mm zoom.

In front is a 32MP camera and a 6.81-inch 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED display.

The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo processor. It houses a 7,000mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging.

Customers can choose from three colorways: Muse Purple, Ocean Blue, and Urban Silver.