Hospitality has long been defined by human interaction, but the systems that support those interactions have undergone continuous change. Arran Campolucci-Bordi, owner of Casa Italia, established 50 years ago in Liverpool, UK, frames this evolution through lived experience, tracing a path from handwritten reservation books to digital booking systems and now toward AI-driven operations. In his view, each transition reflects a broader shift in how restaurants manage time, communication, and customer expectations.

He points out that earlier generations relied entirely on manual processes. Reservations were written down, availability was checked by hand, and customer inquiries were handled individually. As digital tools emerged, many of these processes moved online, creating greater structure and consistency. According to Arran, the current phase introduces a new layer, where systems are capable of responding dynamically to customer needs without requiring human input. 

From his perspective, AI within hospitality is best understood as an operational support system rather than a replacement for people. He explains that Ayra functions similarly to a trained staff member in specific contexts, particularly when it comes to handling information. Once it has been provided with details such as menus, booking systems, and policies, it can respond to customer inquiries in a conversational format. This includes tasks such as checking availability, managing reservations, and answering common questions in real time. He suggests that, in practice, this allows businesses to handle external interactions consistently, while allowing the staff to be focused on where it matters most.

That operational shift is increasingly visible across different industries. According to a report, 58% of employees surveyed say they are already saving time at work through AI tools, with users reporting an average of 52 minutes saved per day, or nearly five hours per week. In a sector like hospitality, where a large share of time is spent responding to enquiries and managing bookings, these time savings can accumulate quickly and better influence where teams focus their efforts.

Arran emphasizes that this type of system is designed to operate alongside existing teams. He notes that many roles within hospitality involve repetitive administrative tasks that take time away from direct customer engagement. 

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Building on this, he explains that redistributing that time can reshape how service is delivered inside the restaurant itself. “By shifting those tasks to an AI-driven interface, businesses can allow staff to focus on delivering service within the physical environment of the restaurant,” he says. “It is a way of aligning people with the aspects of their roles that require attention, awareness, and interpersonal interaction.”

The practical implications of this shift are closely tied to how restaurants allocate their time and resources. According to Arran, a significant portion of operational inefficiency comes from fragmented communication, particularly when customers reach out with similar questions or booking requests. “Each individual interaction may be brief, but collectively they represent a substantial time commitment,” he notes. Ayra, he explains, can handle these interactions 24/7, in turn increasing time spent with customers and capturing potential missed opportunities.  

This perspective also reflects broader changes in customer behavior. “As digital communication has become more immediate, expectations around response times have shifted accordingly,” Arran notes. “Customers increasingly expect quick and accurate answers, whether they are making a reservation or asking about menu options. Systems that can respond instantly help meet those expectations while maintaining clarity and consistency in communication.”

A common misconception is that hospitality is slow to adopt new technology due to the human-centric nature of the business. According to Arran, the immediate and drastic implications of adopting supposedly “robust” technology stem from the industry’s failure to adequately vet what they adopt

He also highlights the importance of simplicity in adoption. From his experience, one of the main barriers for restaurant owners is not necessarily resistance to technology itself, but uncertainty about how it works in practice. As a result, the platform he has developed is designed to be robust, accurate, and straightforward to implement, only requiring businesses to provide a small amount of information to train their AI agent. Once that information is in place, the system can begin operating autonomously.

This approach reflects a broader shift in how technology is being integrated into traditional industries. Rather than requiring businesses to fundamentally change their operations, tools are being developed to fit within established structures. Arran suggests that this compatibility is essential for long-term adoption, particularly in sectors where consistency is key.

Looking ahead, he sees AI as part of an ongoing progression rather than a final destination. The transition from manual processes to digital systems has already reshaped hospitality operations, and the introduction of AI represents another stage in that evolution. Each phase, he notes, has introduced new efficiencies while maintaining the core objective of serving customers effectively.

“People come into a restaurant for the experience, and that will always be the case,” Arran says. “If technology can take care of everything around that, it allows the staff to focus on what they do best, giving customers the best possible experience.”

Netflix has added a heavy hitter in party activities to its gaming lineup. The streamer announced that Jackbox Party Essentials is joining the Netflix Party Games collection. This move makes three of the popular Jackbox group games available for free to Netflix subscribers: Fibbage 4, Quiplash 3 and Drawful 2. Each one supports up to eight players.

Netflix has been refocusing its interactive strategy to highlight family-friendly and party games. The company has even offered tie-ins to its original content; for instance, playing Overcooked through Netflix will let you use a member of Huntr/x from Kpop Demon Hunters as your in-game avatar. We also saw Netflix’s Game Controller software, which turns any mobile device into a gamepad for its game library, take the crown as a top-downloaded iOS app around the Easter holiday weekend. That performance could indicate that many families were at least thinking of trying out the streamer’s games as part of their festivities.

Not everyone has the space or patience for a dishwasher sized subwoofer dominating the room, and that reality is exactly where SVS is aiming with its latest release. Making its debut at AXPONA 2026, the new $999 3000 Micro R|Evolution takes the core technology from the recently launched 3000 R|Evolution series and shrinks it down into something that actually fits into real world living spaces.

That context matters. Earlier in 2026, SVS rolled out the 3000 R|Evolution lineup with redesigned 13-inch drivers, more powerful amplification, and upgraded DSP trickled down from its flagship models, pushing performance deeper into the infrasonic range with far more control . Now they’ve taken that same platform and applied it to the smallest box in the lineup.

The 3000 Micro R|Evolution replaces the original 3000 Micro; one of the brand’s most successful compact subs, and upgrades it with larger drivers, new amplification, and more advanced DSP, while keeping the footprint intact .

This isn’t about chasing the biggest numbers on a spec sheet. Large subs still have their place in dedicated home theater rooms, but most people aren’t building those. The 3000 Micro R|Evolution is aimed squarely at everyone else; apartment dwellers, shared spaces, and systems where space is limited but the expectation for real bass hasn’t gone anywhere.

SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution Core Features

Acoustically Optimized Sealed Cabinet Design: The 3000 Micro R|Evolution uses extra thick MDF side baffles and rigid internal bracing to support its dual driver assembly and maintain an acoustically inert enclosure. The reinforced design minimizes cabinet resonance and prevents unwanted coloration, even during deep bass playback at high output levels.

Force Balanced Drivers: The 3000 Micro R|Evolution employs dual opposing active 9-inch drivers that fire in opposite directions to cancel mechanical forces, reducing cabinet vibration and maintaining a sonically inert enclosure. Each high excursion driver uses a progressive inverted surround to maximize linear displacement, enabling greater air movement and delivering deep, tactile bass even from a compact cabinet.

Class D Amplification: Power is delivered by a Class D amplifier with a discrete MOSFET output stage rated at 1,200 watts continuous and over 4,000 watts peak when needed.

Advanced DSP: A 295 MHz Analog Devices DSP manages power delivery, thermal performance, and driver behavior in real time, optimizing output while protecting the system under demanding conditions.

Balanced XLR Inputs: Alongside unbalanced RCA connections, balanced XLR inputs provide flexible integration with higher-end systems. The 3000 Micro R|Evolution is designed to work equally well in stereo setups, home theater systems, and even studio environments for mixing and mastering.

Switch Mode Power Supply: The switch mode power supply ensures stable, consistent output even when AC line conditions fluctuate, maintaining performance under varying power conditions.

SVS Subwoofer Control App: Installed on a smartphone (iOS, Android), this app provides for easy setup, tuning, and system integration, including volume, low-pass filter, phase, polarity, room gain compensation, and up to six parametric EQ bands, with three onboard memory presets for fast system adjustments. 

Comparison

“When the original SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer launched, we said it was like a magic trick for doing what no compact subwoofer had ever done before,” said Gary Yacoubian, President of SVS. “Our design team completely reimagined the original concept with larger drivers, double the amplifier output, lower distortion, the most powerful DSP ever deployed in a home subwoofer, and more tuning features and connectivity options, all from a cabinet that’s roughly the same size. The result is not just a vast improvement over the previous design, but a new reference standard for all micro subwoofers.”

The Bottom Line 

SVS isn’t chasing novelty here. The 3000 Micro R|Evolution is a calculated move that takes the company’s latest amplifier and DSP platform and pushes it into a form factor that actually works in real homes. Dual opposing drivers, serious power, and advanced control in an 11 inch cabinet is the hook, and it directly addresses the biggest compromise with compact subs which has always been output and control.

What makes it stand out is how much of the larger 3000 R|Evolution DNA made the cut. This isn’t a watered down version for small rooms. It’s a deliberate attempt to deliver legitimate low frequency extension and tactile impact without forcing people to redesign their living space around a subwoofer.

What’s missing is the effortless headroom and room pressurization of larger ported designs. Physics still wins. If you have a dedicated theater and want to feel explosions in your chest from across the room, SVS already sells you that solution. This isn’t it.

But for everyone else and that’s most people the 3000 Micro R|Evolution makes a lot more sense. It’s built for apartments, shared living spaces, and systems where space and aesthetics matter just as much as performance. It also hits a sweet spot for two channel listeners who want real bass integration without turning their setup into a science project.

Price & Availability

The SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution subwoofer is debuting at AXPONA 2026, and will be available April 30, 2026 for $999.99 at svsound.com in piano gloss black or white finish. Pre-orders start now.

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BearingPoint’s Karl Byrne, Holly Daly and Fiona Eguare discuss the effects of AI on software engineering and how it has affected graduates in particular.

The widespread integration of advanced AI technology into tech workplaces across the world has transformed working life for many, but especially so for software teams.

“Over the past few years, software engineering has undergone some of the most significant changes I’ve seen in my career,” says Karl Byrne, director and head of software development at BearingPoint Ireland.

“While the industry has navigated the transition to cloud native and DevSecOps, the arrival of generative AI represents a fundamental change in how we conceive, build and secure software.”

Byrne tells SiliconRepublic.com that what strikes him the most is how broad the change is. “It’s not confined to one specialism or team – it’s touching every part of how we deliver software.”

However, he adds that the fundamentals of the area haven’t changed, emphasising that strong technical understanding, sound design principles, and a focus on security and quality “remain as important as ever”.

“If anything, AI has raised the bar, because engineers now need to critically evaluate AI-generated work on top of everything else they do,” he explains.

For graduates, Byrne says, the introduction of AI to the role has spurred a “total evolution” of day-to-day roles.

Responsible use

Holly Daly, a technology analyst at BearingPoint Ireland, says the growing use of AI highlights the importance of using these tools carefully and responsibly – especially for graduates and early-career software engineers.

“While AI can significantly enhance productivity, graduates should avoid becoming overly dependent on it and continue to build on the foundational skills they have developed,” she says. “AI should be used as a supporting tool to improve efficiency and quality rather than becoming a replacement for your own technical understanding and critical thinking.”

She explains that it’s particularly important for a graduate to demonstrate that they understand the solutions they’re delivering and aren’t just reliant on AI.

“From my own experience as a graduate working on an AI-driven project, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several AI tools, testing and recommending them,” she says. “At the same time, I’ve placed a focus on learnings to improve my skillset so that I do not become reliant on AI. This approach has allowed me to benefit from AI, while allowing me to work confidently on my own.”

Daly says that BearingPoint’s graduate programme adapted to AI‑assisted engineering by exposing graduates to AI from the outset and integrating it into both their training and project experiences.

“During onboarding, graduates are given exposure to AI through dedicated talks and interactive sessions, including AI walkthroughs that highlight its capabilities, limitations, and potential use cases. These sessions help build an initial understanding of how AI can support both technical and non‑technical tasks, while reinforcing the importance of responsible usage.”

Fiona Eguare, also a technology analyst at BearingPoint Ireland, says the process of onboarding AI tech into an engineering team has multiple steps – beginning with research and testing.

“We explored the tools available and trialled those that seemed best suited to our needs. This allowed us to compare them, confirm that they fit our use cases, and evaluate the benefits they offered over more traditional tools and methods,” she says.

“Once the most useful tools were identified, we shared our findings across the team and wider company, and we integrated the tools into the project where appropriate.”

Eguare says that while everyone involved was enthusiastic and open to incorporating AI throughout the software development life cycle, it’s very much “an ongoing effort”.

“As the tools continue to develop, it will be essential to keep upskilling and monitoring their security, to ensure that they remain the right fit for us.”

AI-driven changes

Both Daly and Eguare say the inclusion of AI tools in their working life has had some benefits.

“One of the clearest effects for me,” says Eguare, “has been the increase in developer efficiency. With the help of generative AI tools, some of the more tedious and time-consuming development tasks can be completed much more quickly.

“These tools can also be a great help when debugging. While they can sometimes miss the mark on this, some generative AI tools do an excellent job of understanding the context of the project and codebase, making them great at pinpointing the source of bugs.”

Daly has found that tasks such as writing new code, refactoring existing code and debugging errors have become “much faster and more efficient” with the support of AI tools.

As well as the benefits, both also recognise the potential pitfalls of the technology.

Eguare highlights the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of the tech, saying it has made it easier for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities, while Daly says AI has changed the requirements of the role.

“The role is no longer just about writing code, but also about reviewing, validating, and improving AI‑generated work,” says Daly. “Software engineers need to be more intuitive and analytical when assessing whether AI‑suggested code is correct, secure, maintainable, and suitable for the problem being solved. As a result, strong technical understanding and critical thinking are more important than ever.

“Overall, while AI can be an effective productivity booster, it is important that software engineers do not let it take over, as responsibility still lies with them to ensure the final solution meets the required standards.”

Human oversight

What’s remained consistently important in using generative AI tools in software engineering, according to Eguare, is human oversight.

“When working as a team on projects of larger scale and significance, oversight is essential; its importance really can’t be overstated,” she says.

“A lack of oversight can lead to issues, like bloated code or serious vulnerabilities slipping through to production.”

Eguare explains that in order to tackle these issues, it is important to use “high-quality prompts, specifying expectations around quality and security”, as well as testing.

“Alongside traditional testing, tools that specifically address common issues with AI-generated code can be particularly helpful here,” she says. “We also rely on CI/CD pipelines with automated quality and security scanners to enforce consistent standards and catch issues early – especially important when AI accelerates code changes.”

Another issue she highlights is that if too much of a program is generated without human oversight, it can become “quite difficult” for a developer to debug or understand the codebase.

“While AI can also help with this, staying familiar with the structure of the program can help to ensure that the code remains clean, secure, and high quality as changes are made.”

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Modern smartphones shoot surprisingly high-quality video, with optical zoom, image stabilization, and onboard processing, but even the best out there have generally pretty awful microphones. Thankfully, there are wireless lavalier microphone kits like the DJI Mic Mini you can use to catch crystal clear dialogue, even when you’re on the go. Right now, you can grab the DJI Mic Mini kit with a receiver, two microphones, and a charging case to carry it all on Amazon for just $79, a $20 discount from the usual price.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The most appealing part of this microphone kit is just how easy it is to set up and use. The tiny transmitters don’t drag on clothing, and can be attached with either a clip or via magnets without leaving holes in your shirt. All you have to do is remove them from the case, plug the receiver into your phone’s USB-C port, and start shooting, although Android users will want to double check that the camera app is using the DJI instead of its built-in mic. They even work with digital cameras via the included 3.5-mm TRS cable. You’ll get even more value out of them if you’re already in the DJI ecosystem. Just the other day I wrote about a deal on the DJI Osmo 360, and these actually connect directly to that camera for perfect audio without any extra pieces.

Despite the tiny size and easy setup, the sound that comes through the DJI Mic Mini is pretty impressive, certainly better than any smartphone’s built-in microphones. There are manual gain controls, and you can also use automatic limiting to keep yourself from peaking when a truck drives by. It has two levels of noise canceling, both of which do an impressive job keeping the outside world quiet, so you can sneak in a recording wherever you may end up.

If you’re ready to turn up the volume on your smartphone videos, head over to Amazon to grab the DJI Mic Mini 2 bundle for $79, with various discounts on the individual pieces in case you want to build your own bundle.