According to Utah’s agreement with Legion Health, the AI can handle renewals only for patients already taking approved medications and must escalate many cases to a human clinician. The state says the system is barred from prescribing controlled substances, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and other higher-risk drugs, and must route patients to a licensed professional if it detects suicidality, severe side effects, mania, pregnancy or simply a request for human review. 

Utah has been careful to frame the move as regulatory mitigation, not endorsement. In the state’s own description, the pilot is meant to test whether AI can safely reduce bottlenecks around routine prescription renewals in a controlled environment, while gathering data before any permanent legal changes are considered. The Office of AI Policy says most counties in Utah face mental health provider shortages, and that automating low-risk renewals could free clinicians to focus on more complex patients. 

The safeguards are extensive. For the first 250 requests, a licensed physician must review the AI’s recommendation before anything is sent to the pharmacy, and the company must exceed a 98% agreement rate with human reviewers. The next 1,000 cases are subject to retrospective review with a required 99% agreement rate before the system can move into ongoing monthly sampling and reporting to the state. Utah also says prescriptions generated through the pilot still carry the name of a licensed physician.

The Ring Pro is central to Ultrahuman’s comeback strategy, featuring a redesigned unibody metal structure that helped the startup secure U.S. clearance. The new device boasts improvements such as longer battery life and enhanced on-device processing, and is available for U.S. pre-orders starting at $399. Kumar said

“We believe the Ring Air is a non-infringing model, and we are fighting that in federal court in the U.S.”

The new approval follows an October ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission in favor of Oura, that significantly restricted imports of Ultrahuman’s earlier Ring Air model.This decision resulted in as much as $50 million in lost sales, according to CEO Mohit Kumar. The U.S. continues to be the most vital market for smart rings, representing about 60% of the 4.4 million units sold globally in 2025.

The period of import restrictions has also caused rapid market consolidation in favor of Oura. The company capitalized on Ultrahuman’s absence, increasing its U.S. market share from 63.3% to 85%, while Ultrahuman’s share plummeted to low single digits from its peak of 24.6% in Q2 2025. The U.S. market previously accounted for up to 50% of Ultrahuman’s revenue. The company plans an immediate and aggressive rollout of the Ring Pro. According to Kumar it will take five to six months to reach full scale as it rebuilds its supply chain and distribution.

Image: Ultrahuman

The study, detailed in eWeek’s analysis of research published by the Harvard Business Review, tracked how generative AI changed the nature of work at a U.S. technology company. Rather than immediately alleviating routine tasks, employees found themselves managing additional responsibilities, handling more parallel work streams, and extending their engagement with work throughout the day.

Researchers describe this trend as “compound engineering”, a phenomenon where tools designed to streamline work end up adding layers of complexity: as workers experiment with AI and explore its capabilities, they accumulate new tasks that expand overall workload.

One of the study’s key takeaways is the paradox at the heart of AI adoption. As automation speeds up certain activities, expectations for output rise, which can lead employees to take on broader and more demanding roles. The research warns that this “workload creep” may ultimately lead to cognitive fatigue, burnout and diminished decision-making quality.

Such an increase in workload can lead to cognitive fatigue, burnout, and a weakened ability to make decisions,

the study states, underscoring the potential downside of unfettered AI use.

The implications extend beyond individual stress: companies could be inadvertently reshaping job expectations without formal guidance on how to manage AI tools responsibly. Experts cited in the report urge organizations to establish structured “AI practices”—clear norms for when and how employees should use AI—to prevent intensification from outweighing productivity gains.

As artificial intelligence becomes more ubiquitous in tech and business operations, this research adds to a growing dialogue about not only what AI can do, but how it should be integrated into workforces to sustainably support both efficiency and employee well-being.

Material by Yana Petrova

Image: Freepik

When and how did you decide to switch from driving to cycling as your main way of commuting to work?

To be honest, I only use my car when I really need to. In Varna, where I live and work, the distances aren’t that big — nothing like in Sofia. For me, choosing to drive only makes sense if the commute is really long. Mine never has been.

From that perspective, even ten years ago, this question didn’t really exist for me — I’ve always preferred to walk or cycle to work. There was a time when I lived in a more distant neighborhood, and back then the kids were small. Without a car, it was hard to manage all the daily logistics, so I used it quite a lot during those years.

Now, though, the kids have grown up and can get around on their own. For a while, my younger son and I even cycled to school together — it was close enough.

Overall, the choice between car and bike has never been a big dilemma for me. Still, it does come up occasionally. For instance, before a business meeting, I sometimes ask myself, “Car or bike?” If it’s not too hot, too far, or raining, the bike always wins. The car stays as a backup — only for those days when the circumstances really work against cycling.

Bike2Work Announces the Top 5 Cycling Leaders

What’s the biggest challenge in cycling to work, and how do you overcome it?

The biggest challenge, most often, is that the infrastructure just isn’t built properly. To be fair, there has been some improvement in recent years. A while back, Varna launched the Integrated Urban Transport project, and that’s when the first bike lanes appeared.

They did appear — but in many places, they were built in the wrong way and in the wrong places. In my opinion, the goal back then was to make construction easier for the contractors, not to solve a real transportation problem. The idea should have been to help people feel safe and confident, and to encourage more cyclists on the road.

That said, I have to admit — even though the bike lanes weren’t made perfectly, the number of cyclists has grown since then. However, many of those lanes constantly create conflict between cyclists and pedestrians. In a lot of areas, the lanes were placed on wide sidewalks, which directly takes space away from pedestrians — from parents with strollers, or anyone simply walking.

Sometimes the bike lanes are new and smooth, while the sidewalks next to them are old and uneven. Naturally, a mother with a stroller will choose to walk on the flat bike lane instead of the broken pavement. It turns into a shared space where everyone moves together — and not always safely.

So yes, poor infrastructure is the biggest challenge. I often talk to friends and ask them, “Why don’t you bike to work? It’s not far.” The answer is almost always the same: “I’m scared.” And I understand that, because I’ve been in tricky situations myself.

For example, when Varna built its bike lanes, they made them two-way on one side of the boulevard, instead of one-way lanes on both sides. That creates real safety issues. When a driver exits a side street, they have to cross the bike lane. They look left — where the cars are coming from — but forget to look right, where cyclists might be approaching.

I experienced this firsthand one morning. I saw a driver looking left, assumed he wouldn’t move, and started to pass in front of his car. Just as I was crossing, he pulled out. I ended up on his hood. Thankfully, we both walked away shaken but unharmed. We apologized to each other and went our separate ways.

That incident really shows how important proper infrastructure is. When it’s poorly designed, it doesn’t just fail to help — it actually creates dangerous situations.

What would you change or improve about your route to the office?

Well, this ties in with what we discussed earlier. The most important thing is for the infrastructure and bike lanes to be built in a way that actually serves their purpose.

There’s also something else I’d like to see changed. This question reminded me of an idea I’ve had for a while. I think the law should allow cyclists to legally ride against traffic in residential areas — the smaller streets where there are no big boulevards.

Right now, if you strictly follow the rules, you have to ride in the same direction as cars. I try to do that, but it’s often inconvenient and limiting.

In many European countries, there are already specific signs that allow cyclists to ride in the opposite direction on narrow local streets. It gives you more flexibility when choosing your route, allows for shortcuts, and makes commuting more efficient.

That way, you don’t have to think, “Well, I broke the rules a little again.” If I could change one thing, it would be exactly that. It’s a simple, quick fix that could make many cyclists feel more confident on the road.

Of course, these neighborhoods should also be designated “calm zones” where cars are limited to 30 or even 20 kilometers per hour. Realistically, that’s the change I’d most like to see happen.

Do you manage to inspire your colleagues to cycle or take part in #Bike2Work through your own example?

I hope so! Honestly, I’ve noticed that more and more people are cycling. Just seeing other cyclists on the road is motivating in itself — it shows that it’s possible, and that it’s not something to be afraid of trying.

I haven’t tried to convince people deliberately, although I did tell a friend once, “Come on, give it a try — get on a bike once in a while.” Mostly, I lead by example simply by cycling every day.

I often share photos of my bike or my daily routes on social media. I like to think that, in some small way, that also inspires others to join in.

What do you enjoy most about cycling? How does it feel to ride your bike early in the morning?

Cycling gives me a wonderful sense of freedom. It lets you move quickly from point A to point B without worrying about traffic jams. In an urban environment, it’s often the fastest way to get around.

When you ride regularly, you start discovering your own little shortcuts — stairways, paths, quiet streets. That only enhances the feeling of independence and ease.

Lately, I’ve been riding a city bike that actually belongs to my wife, but I use it more often. I equipped it with panniers, and it’s become my reliable everyday companion — almost a full replacement for the car. If I don’t need to carry anything bulky, I even use it for grocery runs to Lidl and back.

The bike does an amazing job. And the more people choose to move around by bicycle, the quieter, cleaner, and more pleasant our cities will become. There are so many benefits — people just need to realize them and take that first step.

Do you like listening to music while cycling to work? If so, what kind?

When I’m on my bike, I’m almost always listening to something — but not music. Usually, it’s Storytel or a podcast. Music only occasionally. Over the past two or three years, I’ve realized how great it is to combine my commute with something meaningful.

I like listening to content that interests me — an audiobook I never got around to reading when I was younger, or an engaging podcast episode. It makes the ride both productive and enjoyable.

But there’s one important rule I always follow: if you’re cycling and listening, always keep one ear open. I mean that literally — one ear should stay free so you can hear what’s happening around you, especially if you’re on the streets.

Even when I’m riding through the Sea Garden, I still use only one earbud. You need to be aware of what’s happening behind and around you to react quickly and safely.

Listening to music or podcasts while cycling can be a great combination — as long as you do it responsibly.

Bike2Work is an ambitious initiative that inspires companies and professionals to choose cycling as a healthy, eco-friendly alternative to traditional commuting. Together, we’ll bring this vision to innovators, creators, and changemakers across industries through special initiatives, resources, and events designed to make cycling to work easier, more rewarding, and more impactful.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our values of innovation, wellbeing, and positive social impact,”

says our CEO, Iva Abadjieva.

“Together, we can inspire change in both work and lifestyle.”

The initiative starts right here in Sofia, Bulgaria – home to the founding and core development team of WeRide.Today. Locally, we’ll be working through our Bulgarian edition, DevStyleR.BG, to engage and inspire Bulgaria’s vibrant innovation community.

Bike2Work has already made waves promoting greener commuting through tools, team challenges, community events, and real-time impact tracking. With our involvement, we’re ready to take this movement to new audiences – and invite you to be part of the change.

Image: Freepik

In a pair of groundbreaking studies conducted by OpenAI in partnership with the MIT Media Lab, researchers have uncovered a growing trend: people are turning to AI chatbots not just for information, but for emotional support. These studies delve deep into the psychological and behavioral impacts of chatbot usage, and while they highlight some benefits, they also raise red flags about the potential downsides of forming emotional bonds with AI.

Human-Like Sensitivity in Machines

At the core of this phenomenon is the increasing perception among users that AI—particularly voice-enabled chatbots—can display “human-like sensitivity.” This perception is drawing users to open up to bots during challenging emotional moments. Whether people are dealing with loneliness, stress, or the desire for companionship, they’re finding comfort in AI’s always-available, non-judgmental presence.

The First Study: How Chatbots Influence Loneliness and Dependence

The first study, “How AI and Human Behaviors Shape Psychosocial Effects of Chatbot Use: A Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Study”, involved a four-week experiment with 981 participants and over 300,000 messages exchanged. Researchers examined how different modes of interaction—text, neutral voice, and engaging voice—and different conversation types (personal, non-personal, open-ended) influenced users’ emotional states.

Key findings include:

• Voice chatbots initially helped reduce loneliness more effectively than text-based ones. However, this benefit faded with high usage, particularly with neutral-voiced bots.
• Conversation topics mattered: Talking about personal issues slightly increased loneliness but decreased emotional dependence. Meanwhile, non-personal chats led to higher dependence among heavy users.
• High daily usage was a risk factor, consistently associated with increased loneliness, emotional reliance on the chatbot, and reduced social interaction with real people.
• Users with a stronger emotional attachment style or higher trust in the AI were more likely to experience negative psychosocial effects, including greater dependence and loneliness.

These results suggest that while AI chatbots may offer short-term emotional support, overreliance can be counterproductive, possibly replacing human interaction rather than supplementing it.

The Second Study: Affective Use and Emotional Well-Being with ChatGPT

The second study, “Investigating Affective Use and Emotional Well-being on ChatGPT”, expanded the lens by analyzing over 4 million ChatGPT conversations and surveying more than 4,000 users. In addition, a separate 28-day randomized controlled trial with nearly 1,000 participants looked at how different interaction modes affected emotional well-being.

This study found:

• Very high usage was again linked to emotional dependence, echoing the results of the first study.
• Voice mode’s impact varied depending on the user’s initial emotional state and duration of use—suggesting that voice interactions are more emotionally potent, but also potentially more risky.
• A small number of users accounted for the majority of emotionally charged interactions, hinting that those most vulnerable may be engaging more intensely with AI.

What This Means for the Future

Together, these studies shed light on the complex relationship between AI chatbot design and human emotional behavior. On one hand, the emotional responsiveness of AI—especially with voice-enabled features—can offer comfort, empathy, and a sense of connection. On the other, excessive use or reliance can increase feelings of loneliness and dependence, undermining genuine social connections.

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into daily life, these findings urge caution. Developers and designers may need to rethink how chatbot experiences are structured, potentially incorporating features that promote healthy usage and encourage real-world socialization.

Moreover, the research calls for ongoing studies to determine how AI can be emotionally supportive without replacing vital human relationships. The goal isn’t to eliminate emotional engagement with AI, but to better understand its boundaries—and to design responsibly within them.

The news comes after Jenson Huang’s statement at the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference that “This year, every industry will become a technology industry.”

The talk, which took place in San Francisco, followed a J.P. Morgan conference presentation delivered by Kimberly Powell, NVIDIA’s vice president of healthcare. In her talk, Powell announced that Recursion is the first hosting partner to offer a foundation model through the NVIDIA BioNeMo cloud service, which goes into beta this month.

Drug Discovery with Generative AI and NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD

Kimberly Powell also shared that Amgen plans to advance drug discovery with generative AI and NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD – and that BioNeMo is being used by a growing number of technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, AI software providers and system integrators. These include Deloitte, Innophore, Insilico Medicine, OneAngstrom, Recursion and Terray Therapeutics.

From chip design to drug design

Healthcare customers and partners invest over a billion dollars in NVIDIA GPUs each year – directly and indirectly through cloud partners.

NVIDIA’s founder and CEO traced the company’s involvement in healthcare to two research projects that caught his attention some 15 years ago. One at Mass General used NVIDIA GPUs to reconstruct computed tomography images, and another at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign applied GPU acceleration to molecular dynamics.

“It opened my mind that we could apply the same methodology that we use in computer-aided chip design to help the world of drug discovery go from computer-aided drug discovery to computer-aided drug design,” he said, realizing that, “if we scale this up by a billion times, we could simulate biology.”

Jensen Huang further explains that after 40 years of advances in computer-aided chip design, engineers can now create complex computer systems entirely through simulation. In the next decade, the same may be true for AI-mediated drug discovery and design.

Collaborating on the Future of Drug Discovery and Medical Instruments
NVIDIA is propelling the field forward by building state-of-the-art AI models and powerful computing platforms, and by collaborating with domain experts and investing in techbio companies.

“We are determined to work with you to advance this field,” Huang said, inviting healthcare innovators to reach out to NVIDIA. “We deeply believe that this is going to be the future of the way that drugs will be discovered and designed.”

The company’s pipelines for accelerated healthcare include algorithms for cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, gene sequencing, amino acid structure prediction and virtual drug molecule screening. And as AI advances, these computing tools are becoming much easier to access, Huang said.

Because of artificial intelligence and the groundbreaking work that our industry has done, we have closed the technology divide in a dramatic way,” he said. “Everybody is a programmer, and the programming language of the future is called ‘human.’”

“A medical instrument is never going to be the same again. Ultrasound systems, CT scan systems, all kinds of instruments — they’re always going to be a device plus a whole bunch of AIs. The value that will create, the opportunities you create, are going to be incredible”, Huang said.

Beyond drug development, this transformation to a software-defined, AI-driven industry will also advance medical instruments.

In the tech business world, the secret to success lies in employee satisfaction. Recent studies highlight the key role of employee happiness, showing that it has a significant impact on motivation, productivity and innovation. The extra effort that happy employees put in is not an obligation, but a genuine desire to contribute even more to the company they work for. Remarkably, studies show that employees who are happy and satisfied in their jobs are 48.4% more likely to stay with the same company and work for its success, giving their all.

On the other hand, the consequences of unhappy and dissatisfied employees are a serious problem for businesses. Employee dissatisfaction leads to annual financial losses of a staggering $300 billion, according to a study, which is attributed to increased sick leave, absenteeism and an increase in workplace errors.

In a fast-paced industry like tech, a pleasant work atmosphere is key to the well-being of a company’s employees and the sense of comfort they feel despite being away from home. And when an employee feels comfortable and “in place,” they are productive, motivated and full of interesting ideas and a desire to work.

Today we will introduce you to the top 5 ideas on how to create a more pleasant working atmosphere in your tech office according to Hiveage.

How to Create a More Pleasant Working Atmosphere in TECH Office

Bring in natural lighting to the work environment
Not only does natural lighting look better, but there is a strong connection between natural light in the workplace and employees’ quality of sleep and energy. Neurology researchers at Northwestern University found that people who work in offices with windows receive 173 percent more white light (i.e. light from the sun) during work hours and sleep an extra 46 minutes every night. Workers were better rested and therefore in a better frame of mind.

Create a clean and comfortable office space
It doesn’t take a psychologist to tell you that when you are in an area that is attractive, comfortable, and pleasant, you feel better. This is true of both the home and the work environment, so be sure to clear away clutter and broken equipment, and mend flickering light bulbs and temperamental air conditioning or heating units. And though it may not seem like a big deal, invest in new, ergonomic furniture, plants, updated equipment, and quality coffee and snacks. Your staff will not only appreciate that their well-being is important to you, but they’ll be energetically affected by the space in a positive way.

Provide quiet rooms for employees
Open office layouts are a necessity in many cases, but you should consider providing a few areas where employees can retreat if they need quiet or solitude to concentrate on a difficult project. It can cut down on the stress and interruptions, which improves mood and productivity. You might also think about providing nap rooms, for which Google (among others) is famous. Studies show that a 20 or 30 minute power nap is better than a cup of coffee to boost energy for those people who regularly work long hours, engage in intensive, complicated work, or travel to out-of-town bureaus.

Have an open-door policy for team members
Employees report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to stay at a job where they feel listened to and appreciated. One way to do this is to ensure transparency between managers and workers because conflicts often surface when employees feel left out of the loop or like they are merely indentured laborers. Make it known that you are always available for questions, comments, and concerns. And “open door” should be taken literally—keeping the door open encourages friendly communication.

Equip the office with recreational areas for employees
If you can, make room for outdoor hoops or an indoor ping pong table. Team members will enjoy having a place to get a little exercise or to blow off some steam between tasks. Plus, friendly games with others can lead to better rapport and team cohesion.

In exploring the intersection of programming and mental health, it may be necessary to create an app or platform that brings these two elements together. Improving mental health through programming can be a good idea, especially when your task has real relevance in today’s digital landscape

Embarking on a journey to master programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, BASIC, or any other, can be an enriching experience that not only enhances your coding skills but also contributes positively to your mental well-being. In the realm of programming, individuals grapple with some of the world’s most intricate challenges, and in this intellectual pursuit, you’ll find of mental health benefits taking root.

The process of grappling with these complex problems yields a profound sense of intrinsic satisfaction that transcends conventional job-related contentment. Concerns about potential mental health issues, often associated with the developers, can be addressed proactively, preventing them from becoming significant obstacles. The undeniable truth is that the field of programming offers a multitude of advantages for mental health, making it a remarkable arena where cognitive challenges and personal well-being coexist harmoniously. Here’s what Civilized Caveman has to say about programming and mental health.

Overcoming the challenges of anxiety and depression in the world of programming

In the field of programming – a profession that often requires long hours of screen-focused work – signs of anxiety and depression can appear very quickly. Depression, characterized by widespread feelings of sadness or disinterest in daily life and activities, is not an unfamiliar companion for some people in the programming world. The phenomenon known as “coding depression” occurs when programmers go through extended periods devoid of social contact, making them vulnerable and more easily able to fall into the trap of mental instability.

When the hours increase, and troubleshooting in lines of code goes beyond human contact, the risks of depression and anxiety intensify. Experts suggest that people who are immersed in the programming world may be more susceptible to depression and anxiety than the general population. The mental health dangers of this industry are an undeniable reality. However, it is crucial to recognize that addressing these challenges has significant benefits, as programmers can tap into a wellspring of resources to reduce pitfalls and pave the way to better mental well-being.

Programming brings immense job satisfaction despite the mental health risks

Programming requires both creativity and problem-solving skills, and when programmers excel in both areas, job satisfaction is extremely high. Learning how to stay on that wave and re-emerge from depression when you notice it starting to consume you is a big step forward in solving the problem and will help you regulate stress and reduce the risks of depression.

Programming can be an overwhelming area to work in. However, it can also be incredibly fulfilling. When you solve other people’s problems, yours feel a little smaller. With experience, you will find that this self-regulation is extremely beneficial to your overall health.

Relationship Building In The Programming Community

The world of programming and coding offers communities, networks and groups around the world that you can connect with to end feelings of isolation. Taking advantage of them brings a sense of connectedness to your work and gives you the best of both worlds. You can reap the benefits of human interaction in the people-rich communities of programming.

Become happier in programming

Mental health risks are known to exist in programming. But this field can provide many mental health benefits. There are some risks to anxiety and depression levels when you spend a lot of time alone staring at bugs and code. At the same time, there are also benefits to being in this fulfilling field that help you get past overwhelming problems when they arise.

Delve into the myriad advantages of creative problem-solving in coding and position yourself as an integral contributor to the thriving global community of coders. As the profound benefits of this skillset unfold before you, you’ll find both your job satisfaction and overall life contentment soaring to remarkable heights.

In the ever-evolving realm of software development, a healthy work culture can prove to be a game-changer. Google Cloud’s recent release, the 2023 Accelerate State of DevOps Report, underscores the manifold advantages that a healthy work culture bestows upon software teams. These advantages include the prevention of burnout, an uptick in productivity, and a surge in job satisfaction.

The report sheds light on a striking statistic: teams with a thriving work culture demonstrate a staggering 30% higher performance when compared to their counterparts lacking this crucial component.

Google’s study takes a deep dive into the factors that contribute to a conducive work culture. Metrics used for this evaluation encompass the equitable distribution of work within the team, flexibility, feelings of job security, organizational stability, the extent of knowledge sharing, an understanding of user needs, and the efficiency in addressing problems and opportunities.

Apart from the significance of a healthy work culture, the report also highlights the pivotal role of user-centricity in performance. Teams that prioritize meeting user needs are shown to exhibit a remarkable 40% increase in performance compared to those that neglect this essential aspect.”

“Our research shows that a user-centric approach to building applications and services is one of the strongest predictors of overall organizational performance. To improve performance, develop a deep understanding of your users and iteratively adjust and incorporate their feedback,” Google Cloud wrote in the report.

The three user focus metrics on which the report evaluates DevOps teams are:

– How well user needs are met
– how aligned the team is with meeting those needs
– how user feedback is prioritized

“Balanced teams demonstrate strength in delivery, operations, and organizational performance by focusing on the needs of users. Members of these teams benefit from a clear understanding of user needs and the ability to adjust plans based on user feedback,” the report states.

According to the report, function-focused teams are failing to achieve organizational excellence. These teams place a high priority on delivery performance to the detriment of both organizational performance and the wellbeing of the organization’s employees.