Walking into a room and forgetting why, or struggling to recall where you left your keys, are common experiences that tend to become more frequent with age. A new paper published this month in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science suggests there may be an overlooked biological explanation behind those memory lapses, one that challenges the conventional view of aging as a story of straightforward cognitive decline.

Researchers at the University of Arizona, drawing on evidence from molecular biology and neuroimaging, argue that late-life cognition represents a natural, distinct phase of human development, rather than simply a fading or weakening of the same cognitive processes present earlier in life. Their framework, which the researchers have termed the adaptive aging hypothesis, proposes that as people age, the brain shifts its underlying priorities away from gathering and retaining highly detailed information and toward extracting and understanding the broader meaning and concepts behind an experience.

According to the researchers, that shift makes practical sense given how differently younger and older brains are positioned relative to the information they encounter. A younger brain, still in the process of building up its base of knowledge and experience, benefits from prioritizing detailed, specific information as it constructs a foundational understanding of the world. An older adult, by contrast, already has a vast store of accumulated knowledge to draw upon, meaning integrating a new experience into that existing framework of understanding may prove more useful than preserving every specific detail of the experience itself.

Study coauthor Fabian-Xosé Fernandez, an associate professor of cognition and neural systems at the University of Arizona, argued that framing aging exclusively around decline misses a significant part of the picture. “If we look at normative aging as a story of just decline, we are really missing the boat,” Fernandez said.

The researchers suggest their adaptive aging framework may help explain why older adults often prove especially well-suited to roles centered on teaching, mentoring and storytelling, positions that specifically call for sharing accumulated knowledge and wisdom with younger generations rather than recalling granular, detailed information. Under this view, the tendency for older adults to remember the broader gist of an experience rather than its specific details is not simply a cognitive deficit, but potentially reflects a brain that has reorganized its priorities in a way well-matched to these kinds of knowledge-sharing roles.

The paper, formally titled “Aging as a Continuation of Development: A Hypothesis and Framework,” was authored by Fernandez alongside collaborators Sara Burke and Lynn Nadel and published in Perspectives on Psychological Science. The research draws together evidence spanning molecular biology and neuroimaging studies to build its broader case that late-life cognitive changes reflect an adaptive developmental process rather than a purely degenerative one.

This adaptive aging framework arrives amid a broader, ongoing scientific reconsideration of how researchers understand cognitive aging generally. Traditional models have often framed older adults’ brains as engaged in a kind of compensatory effort, recruiting additional brain regions or alternative cognitive strategies specifically to offset declining memory function. The University of Arizona researchers’ framework instead proposes that at least some of these observed changes reflect the brain deliberately operating according to a different, and appropriately adapted, set of priorities for this later life stage, rather than struggling to maintain an earlier developmental mode of functioning that has simply begun to fail.

The University of Arizona’s broader research infrastructure includes the university’s Human Memory Lab, directed by Dr. Matt Grilli, which focuses on understanding cognitive and brain risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and developing more effective interventions to support cognition and everyday functioning in older adults. That lab, along with other research groups within the university’s psychology department, has continued contributing to a broader, ongoing study of the aging brain, of which this new adaptive aging framework represents one significant recent contribution.

It is worth noting that the adaptive aging hypothesis represents a theoretical framework proposed by the researchers based on existing evidence, rather than the direct result of a single new clinical trial or experiment. As with any scientific hypothesis, further research will likely be needed to more fully test and refine the framework’s specific predictions across different populations and cognitive domains.

The distinction the research draws between normal, healthy age-related cognitive changes and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia remains an important one. While the adaptive aging hypothesis focuses on reframing typical, non-pathological cognitive changes associated with healthy aging, it does not suggest that all age-related cognitive change should be understood through this more benign, adaptive lens, and it does not diminish the seriousness of genuine neurodegenerative conditions that can significantly impair memory and cognitive function in older adults.

For now, the research offers a potentially reassuring reframing for the millions of people who experience ordinary, age-related memory lapses, suggesting that at least some of these changes may reflect a brain that has shifted its priorities toward extracting meaning and wisdom from experience, rather than one that is simply failing to perform as it once did.

Peter Moore is CEO of Lolly, the Braintree-based hospitality software house whose EPoS, payments, self-service kiosks, robot waiters and FacePay facial-recognition payments are used by clients the company lists as including Sky, Vodafone and the BBC.

Next week Lolly takes SnapServe Pro, an AI-powered tray-scanning checkout now in live customer trials, to the Hospitality Tech Expo at ExCeL London on 29 and 30 September, where Moore gives a keynote on keeping control of AI on Wednesday 30 September. The launch follows Lolly Central, an AI-enabled customer hub released in July as the first of the company’s Lolly Innovation Series. He tells Business Matters why people still matter more than the technology, and why every founder has to be able to say what problem they are solving.

What do you currently do at Lolly?

I am the CEO. Lolly is a UK-based hospitality software house delivering PoS, payments, mobile ordering, kiosks, robotics and smart data solutions.

My approach is shaped by generational behaviour and future-proofing technology for both staff and customers. Looking ahead, my focus is on controlled AI, sustainability and international expansion.

What was the inspiration behind your business?

Lolly has evolved from a payments and EPoS provider into a fully integrated hospitality technology ecosystem, delivering AI-powered kiosks, robotics, facial-recognition payments and smart data systems that enhance both operational efficiency and the guest experience.

What are you taking to the Hospitality Tech Expo?

We are demonstrating SnapServe Pro, our AI-powered tray-scanning checkout, on Booth HT204. It uses a three-camera system to recognise the items on a tray and build the customer’s basket without each product having to be scanned, and it is already in live customer trials ahead of a wider rollout.

Hospitality is changing. Guest expectations are rising and teams are under pressure. Technology needs to respond to those very real operational challenges, and that is what we mean by practical innovation. On the second day I am presenting “AI Is Already Running Your Operation: The Question Is Whether You’re in Control” in Keynote Theatre 4.

Who do you admire?

I admire many business leaders and entrepreneurs, but if I think back to my early days in business, Richard Branson was probably one of the people who stood out most to me.

I was fascinated by the way he built Virgin from one business into such a recognised global brand. He was not afraid to challenge established businesses or enter markets where there were already very large, successful competitors. There was a confidence and entrepreneurial spirit behind what he did that I found inspiring.

Building a business inevitably involves taking risks, making difficult decisions and occasionally going against conventional thinking. You have to believe in what you are trying to achieve, while surrounding yourself with good people who can help you get there. But there also is not one blueprint for being a successful entrepreneur or leader.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

No, I genuinely do not think I would.

I am a big believer in not looking backwards and wondering what might have happened if you had made a different decision. Of course, there are things that have not gone to plan over the years and decisions that, with hindsight, I might have approached differently. But those experiences are part of the journey.

I have been very lucky in my life. I have met some great people along the way and had opportunities and experiences that have shaped both the person and the business leader I am today. For me, it is much more important to ask, “What can I learn from this and what do I do next?” than to spend too much time looking over your shoulder.

What defines your way of doing business?

People.

I have always believed that a business is ultimately about the people you employ. You can have a brilliant idea, a great strategy and fantastic technology, but you still need good people to make everything work.

For me, leadership is about recognising people’s strengths and giving them the opportunity to use those strengths, while supporting them in the areas where they may need help. Not everyone is brilliant at everything, nor should we expect them to be. The important thing is building a team where different skills and personalities complement one another and where people feel they can contribute.

Today, that means combining great people with the best IT and technology available and using both to deliver exceptional service. Technology can make businesses faster, smarter and more efficient, but it is the people behind it who ultimately create the experience customers remember.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

My first piece of advice is very simple: what problem are you trying to solve?

I have done many pitches to angels and investors over the years, and that is one of the questions that comes up time and again. It sounds incredibly straightforward, but it can actually be a very difficult question to answer well.

You need to be absolutely clear about why your business needs to exist. What is the problem? Who has that problem? And why is what you are offering a better way of solving it? If you can answer those questions properly from the outset, you give yourself a much stronger foundation on which to build a successful business.

My other advice would simply be: never give up. There will be hurdles throughout your journey. There will be times when things do not happen as quickly as you had hoped, deals fall through, people say no or circumstances completely outside your control change your plans.

Successful entrepreneurs are not necessarily the people who never encounter problems; they are often the people who keep finding ways around them. You need resilience, determination and the ability to pick yourself up, learn from what has happened and keep moving forward.

Would you bring an iced coffee to a job interview?

The question on the internet’s lips this week started life, as many do, in a TikTok video.

“Don’t waltz into your interview all casual with an iced coffee, it just looks like you didn’t have time to finish your coffee beforehand,” said US recruiter Caitlin Wehniainen.

It’s what her Gen Z job candidates are doing, she said, warning it makes it look like the interview is “just a stop on your list of errands for the day”.

The post has started what Wehniainen calls the Great Iced Coffee Debate of 2026.

Some believe turning up with an iced matcha latte in hand is a cardinal sin. They say it’s unprofessional, too informal, and a distraction.

Others feel this is an overreaction – distracting from how difficult it is to secure a job – or even just get an interview in the first place.

In a subsequent LinkedIn post, Wehniainen says she “was never saying that bringing coffee makes someone a bad candidate.

“My point was simply about avoiding distractions.”

KEY POINTS

Apple Code Confirms Next Low-Cost iPad Will Get A19 Chip, 8GB RAM and New C1X Modem for Full AI Support

Apple’s next entry-level iPad will be equipped with an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, and two new in-house connectivity chips, according to details uncovered in Apple’s own code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, offering confirmation of specifications that had previously circulated as rumors.

The findings point to the 12th-generation iPad featuring Apple’s C1X modem and N1 networking chip alongside the upgraded processor and memory. Because several of these specifications had already surfaced in earlier reporting, Friday’s discovery functions more as a confirmation of prior leaks than an entirely new revelation about the upcoming tablet.

The processor upgrade represents a meaningful performance jump for Apple’s budget tablet lineup. The current 11th-generation iPad ships with an A16 chip, meaning the move to the newer A19 chip in the 12th-generation model should deliver a noticeable improvement in overall performance. More significantly, the A19 chip supports Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of on-device artificial intelligence features, meaning the new entry-level iPad will gain access to Apple Intelligence and the company’s redesigned Siri AI assistant, capabilities that are entirely absent from the current 11th-generation model.

Memory capacity is also increasing as part of the same upgrade. The existing iPad 11 ships with 6GB of RAM, below the 8GB threshold Apple has established as the minimum requirement for running Apple Intelligence features. The jump to 8GB of RAM in the 12th-generation model will not only enable those AI capabilities but should also improve the tablet’s general responsiveness and multitasking performance.

On the connectivity side, Apple’s new C1X modem supports sub-6GHz 5G networks and is described as more power-efficient than the Qualcomm modem currently used in Apple’s existing iPad lineup. The addition of Apple’s N1 networking chip will bring support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and the Thread smart-home connectivity protocol, expanding the entry-level iPad’s wireless capabilities considerably beyond what the current model offers.

While not confirmed in the code Perris examined, it remains possible the 12th-generation iPad could also introduce new color options when it eventually launches, following a pattern Apple has used with prior iPad refreshes.

No specific release date has been confirmed for the new iPad, and current expectations point to a launch no earlier than spring 2027. The existing iPad 11 currently starts at $449, following a price increase implemented in June, and the new 12th-generation model is expected to carry a similar starting price once it becomes available.

Notably, Apple is not expected to release any new low-cost iPad model within 2026 itself. Instead, the company’s next tablet-related launch is expected to be a refreshed iPad mini, anticipated before the end of October. Separate reporting published the same day as the iPad 12 code discovery detailed new specifications for that upcoming iPad mini refresh, including an A20 Pro chip, an updated speaker system, and a landscape-oriented front-facing camera, positioning it for improved video calling in horizontal orientation. Earlier rumors have also pointed to the new iPad mini featuring an OLED display as its primary visual upgrade over the current model.

Beyond the iPad-related leaks, official product imagery for two other unreleased Apple devices also surfaced the same day. Images of an upcoming Apple TV 4K and a refreshed HomePod mini were discovered, revealing the smart speaker’s new color lineup. According to the leaked imagery, the next HomePod mini will be available in green, pink, blue, white and black, expanding the color options currently offered for the compact smart speaker.

Separately, a leaked image specifically labeled for an “Apple TV 4K (4th generation)” model suggests a new version of Apple’s streaming device is nearing release. That image indicates the new Apple TV 4K will retain the same external design as the current model, according to details from the leak, suggesting any changes are likely to be internal, focused on performance or connectivity improvements, rather than involving a redesigned enclosure.

These leaks arrive roughly two weeks after Apple’s most recent major product event, at which the company unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. Both of those devices feature Apple’s separate C2 modem, a related but distinct chip from the C1X modem expected in the upcoming iPad, continuing Apple’s broader push to develop more of its own in-house wireless chip technology rather than relying primarily on third-party suppliers such as Qualcomm.

With the iPad mini refresh expected within weeks and the redesigned Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini also apparently nearing release, Apple appears to be preparing a cluster of smaller hardware updates heading into the final months of the year, even as the next low-cost iPad itself remains a longer-term addition to the lineup, with its spring 2027 expected launch leaving Apple’s entry-level tablet without an Apple Intelligence-capable option for some time yet.

As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in the workplace, companies may be overlooking another skill set that could increasingly separate successful employees from the pack: the ability to communicate, listen, disagree and build relationships with actual people.

Pamela Eyring, president of the Protocol School of Washington, told Fox Business that employers increasingly need workers who can use AI effectively without allowing their interpersonal skills to deteriorate.

According to Eyring, people need to focus on what she calls “power skills.”

“These are essential skills that we need as human beings in business,” she said.

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As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in the workplace, Eyring warned that employees shouldn’t allow the technology to replace communication and relationship-building skills. (Napong Rattanaraktiya/Getty Images / Getty Images)

As a variety of AI platforms continue to expand, Eyring argued that the technology’s convenience makes it tempting for workers to turn to a chatbot over another person.

And while users may get instant gratification, quick answers and — importantly — less pushback than they might receive from a colleague, Eyring warned that convenience could come at a personal cost.

“It doesn’t dispute us. It’s so nice to us, it’s so good. ‘Oh, that’s a great idea, Pamela, let’s do that.’ And sometimes your ideas aren’t good. That’s why I’m afraid we’re gonna lose our people skills and, more importantly, our relationships,” she added.

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Protocol School of Washington President Pamela Eyring told FOX Business that workers need to maintain strong interpersonal skills as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the workplace. (FOX Business)

Although many employers may expect their employees to be proficient with AI and other emerging technologies, that alone doesn’t prepare someone to present an idea, read a room, negotiate or develop a client relationship.

“They want you to be smart with AI, but they also want you to be able to close a billion, a multi-billion dollar deal,” Eyring said.

Eyring said technical expertise alone may not be enough when employees are expected to advise clients, build relationships and communicate the experience they’ve accumulated over their careers.

She said she and her clients have encountered job applicants who apparently relied too heavily on AI when preparing application materials.

“We laugh and tell stories about how, you know, the AI created a great resume, and it has still brackets, you know, ‘fill in the blank here,’” Eyring said.

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Eyring warned that relying too heavily on AI could erode employees’ ability to communicate, listen, disagree and build relationships with other people. (Drazen Zigic/Getty Images)

The consequences of overreliance on AI aren’t limited to embarrassing job applications, she argued. Businesses themselves could pay a price if automation comes at the expense of human interaction.

Leaning too heavily on AI could also cost companies customers — and money.

When asked whether companies risk paying a financial price by automating aggressively while neglecting human skills, Eyring was blunt: “Yes, it’s dangerous.”

“They can’t go full steam ahead and not take into consideration the people,” she said. “If it is not balanced, they are going to lose clients and that’s where you lose money.”

Customers can become frustrated when they can’t reach a person or when the employee they eventually reach doesn’t understand their situation, Eyring said.

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Eyring said some job applicants have apparently relied so heavily on AI-generated résumés that placeholder instructions were left in their application materials. (Jakkapant Turasen / Getty Images)

“They want real people,” she said.

“When you’re developing that AI strategy, you’ve got to look at where do we need to keep the people for that connection and continue to build our reputation and our brand,” she continued.

Eyring doesn’t blame AI alone for the erosion of workplace communication.

She said workplace culture had already become more casual before the COVID-19 pandemic, while remote work accelerated the shift by eliminating many informal “water cooler conversations” in which employees could test ideas with colleagues or receive casual coaching from supervisors.

Many supervisors also lost opportunities to physically work alongside employees and mentor them informally, she said.

AI, Eyring argued, has since introduced another challenge.

“I’m not sure where we’re at, but it’s not pretty,” she said.

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Eyring said remote work reduced informal workplace interactions and mentoring opportunities before the rapid expansion of AI added another challenge. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

While younger generations are sometimes blamed for lacking social skills, Eyring noted that younger workers often haven’t had the same opportunities as older generations to observe workplace behavior and learn through informal coaching.

Many are eager to learn, she said, pointing to her experience teaching professional skills to students preparing to enter the workforce.

Eyring said employers also bear responsibility, arguing that companies should clearly teach workplace expectations and professional norms during onboarding rather than assuming younger employees already know them.

Ultimately, Eyring said businesses don’t have to choose between embracing AI and maintaining the human relationships that help build trust with employees and customers.

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“Don’t let artificial intelligence replace our social intelligence,” she said. “The best investment is in your people.”

Thai Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised and Russian counterpart Olga Lyubimova discussed expanding cultural cooperation, preparing for their 2027 diplomatic anniversary, and enhancing exchanges in arts, tourism, and creative industries.

Key Points

• Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised met with Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova in Moscow to discuss cultural cooperation and preparations for the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia in 2027.
• The dialogue focused on enhancing cooperation outlined in their memorandum, including personnel exchanges, performing arts, and special exhibitions in Thailand, aiming to leverage expertise in arts and culture.
• Efforts will promote international opportunities for Thai artists and cultural professionals, boost employment through cultural heritage, and enhance cultural tourism by attracting more Russian travelers to Thailand’s arts and traditions.

Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised met Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova in Moscow this week to discuss expanded cultural cooperation and preparations for the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia in 2027. 

The two sides discussed cooperation under their existing memorandum on culture, covering personnel exchanges, performing arts, music, museums, and cultural activities. Thailand also proposed greater exchanges of expertise in arts and culture and offered support for special Russian exhibitions in Thailand.

The cooperation is expected to create more international opportunities for Thai artists, craftspeople, cultural professionals, and creative businesses through exhibitions, professional exchanges, and related activities. Thailand also plans to use its cultural heritage and creative economy to generate employment, income, and wider international exposure.

Cultural tourism was another area discussed, with Thailand seeking to introduce more Russian travelers to its arts, traditions, craftsmanship, and cultural destinations. Activities surrounding the 2027 diplomatic anniversary are expected to expand cultural exchanges, tourism opportunities, and creative-industry connections between the two countries.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Electronic Arts said EA Sports FC 27 is available worldwide, the fourth annual football game under the FC brand after the company left the FIFA name.

The title launched Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who bought the Ultimate Edition or the limited Ultimate Plus Edition were able to start on Sept. 18. PC copies unlocked on a global clock a few hours ahead of midnight console drops in many regions. A free download, FC 27 Lite, arrived the same day on selected storefronts.

Nick Wlodyka, senior vice president and group general manager of EA Sports FC, said in the company’s launch statement: “FC 27 is the biggest football experience we’ve ever delivered, with more ways for every fan to find their place in The World’s Game. At the heart of that is The Grounds, one of our biggest mode innovations in years, introducing a new social football playground where players can compete, connect, and express themselves on and off the pitch. Alongside meaningful updates across Football Ultimate Team, Career Mode, and gameplay, FC 27 has been shaped by our community. We’re incredibly proud of what our teams have built, and we can’t wait to see how fans around the world make FC 27 their own.”

The Grounds is the feature EA put first. The company described it as “a social football playground where the streets meet the stadium,” with kickabouts, one-on-one matches and Clubs, plus mentors and character progression on and off the pitch. Reveal materials named mentors including Kylian Mbappé, Chloe Kelly, Paulo Dybala and Alex Hunter, the former story-mode protagonist. The mode is limited to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC and Switch 2. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One copies do not include it.

Career Mode received a rebuilt transfer market. EA said it partnered with TransferRoom so player values reflect club buying power, potential, ratings and form, and so clubs bid against one another. New negotiation tools include performance and buy-back clauses. Dynamic overall ratings are meant to track form, morale and fitness. Managers can build and share custom scenarios through a web portal and play community Manager Live challenges.

Football Ultimate Team adds a FUT Gallery in which players collect sets of past and present items, raise a gallery level and earn rewards. EA listed holographic variants, Hall of FUT items, streamlined squad-building challenges and new single-player live events. Icons in Ultimate Team were described in pre-launch notes as arriving first as Debut cards in the mid-80s overall range before later Champion upgrades.

Gameplay notes from EA and its deep-dive video pointed to dynamic corners split into a delivery phase and a run phase, stronger attacking awareness, and defending that rewards manual jockeying, tackles, interceptions and blocks. The company said it retuned intercepts and PlayStyles after community complaints.

Licensing remains the commercial spine. EA said FC 27 includes more than 21,000 players from more than 800 clubs and national teams, 140 stadiums and more than 35 leagues, backed by more than 300 football partners. Competitions listed in a September authenticity release include the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Women’s Champions League, CONMEBOL Libertadores, the Premier League, Bundesliga, LALIGA EA SPORTS, Ligue 1 and several top women’s leagues.

Mbappé is on the Standard and Ultimate covers. Jude Bellingham joins him on the Ultimate Plus cover, a pre-order SKU sold through Aug. 31. That edition bundled up to seven days of early access, Premium Passes for Seasons 1 through 5, up to 10,000 FC Points across five monthly drops, and extra Ultimate Team items. Ultimate Edition buyers received a smaller points package and Season 1 Premium Pass. Standard Edition buyers got the full game on the 25th without early access. U.K. list prices reported at announcement were £69.99 on current-generation consoles and PC for Standard, £99.99 for Ultimate and £139.99 for Ultimate Plus. U.S. guides listed a Standard floor of $69.99.

FC 27 Lite is free on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series consoles, the EA app, Steam and the Epic Games Store. EA said launch modes are Kick-Off, Learn to Play, Online Friendlies and Online Seasons. An internet connection and an EA account are required. Players can pay to upgrade to the full game. Nintendo versions of Lite were not listed in the launch note. EA Play members get a 10-hour trial whose progress carries into a full purchase, plus 10 percent off digital EA goods including FC Points.

A companion Mobile 27 season update and anniversary event launched in parallel. The official soundtrack, 120 tracks from 36 countries, is on Spotify.

FC 27 is the successor to FC 26 and the 34th game in EA’s long football line that began as FIFA International Soccer. Development is credited to EA Vancouver and EA Romania on the Frostbite engine. Dual entitlement lets PlayStation 4 owners move to PlayStation 5, and Xbox One owners to Series hardware, without a second full-price purchase, EA said before launch.

The company asked players to send feedback through its FC Feedback Hub. Whether The Grounds becomes a daily social space or a quiet district, and whether the transfer rebuild quiets Career Mode complaints, will be measured in the weeks after servers fill. As of Friday, the pitch is open.