“Mastering Machine Learning: From Basics to Advanced” by Govindakumar Madhavan was published in April by Springer Nature. It’s $169 as an ebook, or $219 as a hardback. [Springer, archive]

Retraction Watch heard from a reader who was cited in the book — but his cited papers didn’t … exist. A lot of citations in the book don’t exist. [Retraction Watch]

Retraction Watch asked Madhavan to comment on whether he’d written his book on AI with an AI. Madhavan answered this yes-or-no question as follows:

reliably determining whether content (or an issue) is AI generated remains a challenge, as even human-written text can appear ‘AI-like.’ This challenge is only expected to grow, as LLMs continue to advance in fluency and sophistication.

That’s great, thanks.

Madhavan is the founder and CEO of SeaportAI, which offers services dealing with the risks of AI fraud. [SITE]

The book warns to take care with ChatGPT:

the technology raises important ethical questions about the use and misuse of AI-generated text.

Retraction Watch commenter Peter Vamplew says:

I wouldn’t expect an answer from Springer any time soon. I reported a similar case of a book chapter which contained hallucinated references, including one which it attributed to me which doesn’t match anything I’ve actually written. It’s been 4 months now and I’m still waiting for their investigation to reach a conclusion.

Springer publishes 14,000 books a year with 9,000 employees. Nobody at Springer even looks at the books. Springer concerns itself with the important part — charging $200 for a pile of chatbot spew.

• Video version

The LEGO Group has officially unveiled its new U.S. headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, ushering in a bold new chapter for the iconic Danish brand on this side of the Atlantic. Located at 1001 Boylston Street in the heart of Back Bay, the new Boston Hub is a thoughtfully designed, purpose-driven environment that reflects LEGO’s core mission: to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play.

Spanning over 157,000 square feet across six floors, the Boston Hub was conceived with employees’ creativity, well-being, and collaboration in mind. The space includes more than 660 workstations, 90+ meeting spaces, and vibrant, open common areas designed to encourage spontaneous connection and teamwork. Sky terraces offer sweeping views of the city, while amenities like flexible wellness areas, parents’ rooms, and complimentary gym access promote balance and inclusivity for all employees.

The building is both LEED Gold and WELL Gold certified, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability, healthy materials, energy efficiency, and an employee-first philosophy. The office’s design also incorporates playful elements and LEGO-themed features throughout – subtle reminders that even in the workplace, joy and creativity should never be too far from reach. “This new Hub is a home for our incredible U.S. team and a reflection of our values as a company,” says Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group. “Boston has a vibrant innovation culture, outstanding talent, and a strong connection to education and families, making it an ideal city to help drive our long-term growth across the Americas.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on June 19, 2025, welcomed a host of dignitaries including Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Jesper Møller Sørensen. LEGO executives, employees, design collaborators, and community partners gathered to celebrate the milestone. The celebration wasn’t just about business growth – it was also about deepening community impact. At the event, LEGO announced a $5 million philanthropic commitment to the Boston area, spread over two years, aimed at expanding access to playful learning opportunities for children and families across the city.

The multi-pronged initiative includes several key partnerships:

Boston Public Library Collaboration: LEGO will fund playful learning programs at the Central Library and all 25 neighborhood branches. These programs are designed for children from birth to age 13 and will include hands-on activities, workshops, and storytelling experiences that encourage creativity and curiosity.

Support for New Families: A pilot program will deliver resources to new parents in Boston, focused on introducing the benefits of play during early childhood development. The initiative underscores LEGO’s belief that play isn’t just fun – it’s foundational.

Expanded Educational Programs: LEGO will grow its existing partnerships with local institutions such as the Boston Children’s Museum and the Museum of Science to bring even more free, play-based learning opportunities to Boston-area children.

“Play fuels learning, emotional development, and connection. Through these partnerships, we’re making play accessible to more kids and families, regardless of background,” said Colette Burke, Chief Commercial Officer at the LEGO Group. “We’re building more than just a headquarters – we’re building a lasting relationship with the Boston community.”

This philanthropic effort builds on a legacy of Boston-based engagement for LEGO. Since 2015, when the company opened its LEGO Education office in the area, employees have volunteered thousands of hours toward play-centered programs. In 2021, LEGO partnered with the Boston Children’s Museum through the Playful Learning Museum Network, and in 2023 extended its outreach to the Museum of Science.

The new Boston office represents one piece of LEGO’s broader investment in the U.S. market. In addition to its new Hub, the company is also constructing a state-of-the-art factory and regional distribution center in Chesterfield County, Virginia, set to open in 2027. Once operational, the facility will employ approximately 2,000 people and will be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Globally, LEGO operates major hubs in Copenhagen, Singapore, Shanghai, and London, alongside 37 sales offices and six factories. The company employs over 31,000 people worldwide and continues to grow its team of designers, engineers, educators, and storytellers committed to making play a powerful force for good.

Ultimately, LEGO’s new Boston Hub is a physical expression of the company’s values – creativity, connection, care, and fun. It brings together a diverse team with a shared mission and places them at the heart of a city known for its energy, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit. By combining workplace innovation with deep community engagement, LEGO is doing what it does best: building something meaningful, one brick at a time.

For more information on LEGO or the LEGO Group, head to lego.com.

Photography courtesy ©2025 The LEGO Group.

Bang & Olufsen, the Danish audio design house renowned for its fusion of technology and timeless design, has unveiled its latest homage to hi-fi history: the Beosystem 3000c. This limited-edition release brings the beloved Beogram 3000 turntable from 1985 into the present day, coupling it with state-of-the-art Beolab 8 wireless speakers in a fresh package that honors the past while embracing the future.

The Beosystem 3000c is the third entry in Bang & Olufsen’s Recreated Classics program – an initiative launched to breathe new life into iconic products through a mix of restoration, reengineering, and contemporary design updates. This program celebrates more than nostalgia – it leans into sustainability, circular design, and the enduring value of exceptional craftsmanship. According to Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product Circularity & Portfolio Planning at Bang & Olufsen, the Recreated Classics initiative is about extending the lifecycle of iconic design while enabling music lovers to rediscover the tactile and emotional connection that vinyl offers.

At the heart of the Beosystem 3000c is the Beogram 3000c turntable. The 1985 model was known for its compact, minimalist form and innovative technology, which ensured more accurate playback and reduced record wear. In its modern incarnation, every component has been carefully reimagined. While the form remains true to the original, the internals and exterior are brand new – from the precision-machined walnut back cover and re-anodised aluminum panels to a newly engineered pickup cartridge built for contemporary performance.

Even the smallest details, like the dust lid and fabric-wrapped cables, reflect the same dedication to quality that made the original so beloved. The components have been manufactured and hand-finished in Struer, Denmark, where Bang & Olufsen continues to produce its most exclusive offerings.

Complementing the turntable are Bang & Olufsen’s latest Beolab 8 speakers, a compact powerhouse of modern sound engineering. For this release, the speakers have been customized to match the player – featuring walnut lamellas and pearl-blasted aluminum accents that mirror the aesthetic of the Beogram. While their look may give nod to the past, their functionality is firmly in the present, with support for Apple AirPlay, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth, and wired or wireless integration into multiroom setups.

The result is a versatile system that balances analog warmth with digital convenience, perfect for those who appreciate the ritual of vinyl but live in a world of streaming and smart speakers.

The Beosystem 3000c is a collector’s item, available in a limited run of just 100 individually numbered units worldwide. Each set is made to order and priced at $30,000 (26,000 EUR), a reflection of the extensive craftsmanship, hand assembly, and rare materials involved in its production.

For more information or to secure one of the 100 Beosystem 3000c systems, head to bang-olufsen.com.

Photography courtesy of Bang & Olufsen.

We didn’t have “multidisciplinary art and design studio remixes ultra-cushioned trail runners” on our 2025 design bingo card, but we’re so glad it’s here. The just-dropped HOKA x StudioPROBA collab gives a maximalist makeover to HOKA’s most iconic sneakers, transforming them into walking works of art with candy-colored palettes and playful patterns that wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery. Unexpected? Absolutely. Unmissable? Also a resounding yes.

We’ve long admired Alex Proba, founder of StudioPROBA, for her unmistakable aesthetic – a vibrant fusion of color, joy, and pattern that animates everything from pools and tiles to digital art and rugs. Now, she brings that same expressive lens to HOKA’s performance-forward silhouettes, creating sneakers that quite literally walk the walk. “Translating my art from large-scale sculptures and murals to sneakers felt like a natural evolution, especially since my earliest work began on posters and small scale,” Proba tells Design Milk. “My practice has always been rooted in joy, movement, and nature, so bringing that energy to something that literally moves with people made perfect sense. Every line and color wrap the shoe as it would a wall or pool, but here, wear and the elements, mud, sun, and adventure, add a new dimension, turning each pair into a living, ever-changing canvas.”

Alex Proba of StudioPROBA

Proba began the design process by asking herself what emotion she wanted the shoes to spark. “I always begin with the feeling I want to evoke – joy, energy, and movement – and how that can live on something as personal and functional as a shoe,” she reflects. She mocked up patterns on paper and digitally, embracing the challenge of designing for a 3D object that moves. Hidden shapes and organic forms are tucked into curves and creases, revealing themselves as the sneaker moves to life. “Just like my larger works, the magic is in the details.”

The limited-edition collab spans three HOKA styles: the Speedgoat 6, Ora Primo, and Kawana Mid. A youth version of the Speedgoat 6 means even the littlest sneakerheads can join the fun. And Proba hopes they do. “I love that these shoes will collect dust, mud, and stories,” she says. “They’re made to be worn and changed by the world – like a painting that keeps evolving.”

Youth Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

So whether you’re hiking a muddy trail or just power walking in the neighborhood, the sneakers are designed to move with you, with every scuff and speck of dirt becoming a part of your story. Who says art has to hang on a wall?

Youth Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Youth Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Youth Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Speedgoat 6 StudioPROBA

Kawana Mid StudioPROBA

Kawana Mid StudioPROBA

Kawana Mid StudioPROBA

Ora Primo StudioPROBA

Ora Primo StudioPROBA

Ora Primo StudioPROBA

Ora Primo StudioPROBA

To hit the ground running – and in style – with the HOKA x StudioPROBA collaboration, head to hoka.com.

Photography courtesy of HOKA.

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Für die Sportbegeisterten unter euch: China hat jetzt eine Liga in der humanoide Roboter gegeneinander antreten. Gespielt wird drei gegen drei und das hier ist ein Halbfinal. Dabei traten das Vulcan-Team der Tsinghua-Universität und das Blaze Light-Team der Beijing Information & Science Technology University an. Jetzt noch die Ultra-Kurven voll mit humanoiden Roboter und dann haben wir’s.

(Direktlink)

Wir alle kennen die meistens großartigen intimen Konzerte bei NPR’s Tiny Desk. Ich hatte hier schon etliche davon. Was wir bisher nicht hatten ist ein Blick hinter die Kulissen. Das ändert sich jetzt hiermit.

What began in 2008 as a humble, stripped-back performance series for NPR’s blog has grown into a global phenomenon, with unforgettable sets from stars like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, and more. Despite its viral fame, the heart of Tiny Desk remains the same: a real desk in a real office, surrounded by shelves packed with priceless mementos left by artists–from Adele’s water bottle to Sabrina Carpenter’s martini glass and even Chappell Roan’s wig. Meet the team behind the production, and discover how Tiny Desk became such a beloved series.

(Direktlink)