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Multiple foreign governments are investigating Elon Musk-owned chatbot Grok for numerous reports of the chatbot generating and spreading nonconsensual, sexualized synthetic images of users.

Joining India's IT ministry in the first wave of what could turn into a global crackdown on X's AI helper, French authorities and Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission issued statements that they, too, would be taking action against a platform-wide deepfake problem.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: The latest news, surprises, strange tech, and more

At least three government ministers have reported Grok to the Paris prosecutor's office and a government online surveillance platform for allegedly proliferating illegal content, asking for the French authorities to issue an immediate removal, Politico reports. The Malaysian commission said it was investigating the "misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the X platform."

Meanwhile, X was given 72 hours to address concerns about Grok's image generation and submit an action-taken report to India's IT ministry, outlined in an order issued on Jan. 2, according to TechCrunch. The order said that failure to respond by the deadline could lead to the platform losing safe harbor protections, which prevent web hosts from facing legal retribution for user-generated content.

This comes following reports that the AI chatbot generated images of minors in sexualized attire. Musk later responded in a post on X, denying responsibility for the chatbot's responses. "Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," the xAI leader wrote. xAI team member Parsa Tajik responded to users on X saying the xAI team was looking into "further tightening" safety guardrails.

It's not an isolated incident. X users frequently report that Grok's reported guardrails are easily circumvented to reproduce nonconsensual, sexualized content at the request of other users, often in the form of "undressing" or "redressing" user-uploaded images. The rise in sexualized content on the platform has been referred to as a "mass digital undressing spree," which a Reuters investigation attributes to Grok's lax safety guardrails. Mashable's own testing found that Grok's AI image and video generator, Grok Imagine, readily produced sexual deepfakes — even of famous celebrities.

SAVE $300: The DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $399 with the on-page coupon, down from the normal price of $699. That's a 43% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $399 at Amazon
$699 Save $300   Get Deal

Ice storms, wind storms, and epic rain are all weather events that can cause tons of inconvenience. Even if you get to stay home, these events just love to knock out power. That means we have to sit at home the cold while refusing to open the refrigerator and conserving phone battery. If you're not interested in dealing with this situation for another winter, check out this great deal on a portable power station.

As of Jan. 5, the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $399 with the on-page coupon, marked down from the normal price of $699. That's a 43% discount that takes a massive $300 off the usual price.

The DJI Power 1000 V2 is an updated version of the original Power 1000, which offers about half the power of the DJI Power 2000. DJI made upgrades to the recharging time and added more outlets compared to the original version.

The Power 1000 V2 comes with 1,024Wh of battery capacity with a stable power output of 2,600W. It weighs in at about 31 pounds, and it comes with plenty of charging ports. You get four AC ports, two USB-A, two 140W USB-C, and two SDC ports.

SEE ALSO: Get ready for the big chill with the Bluetti Pioneer Na(Sodium) portable power station while it's $500 off

In real-life scenarios, 1,024Wh of battery capacity looks like recharging a phone about 57 times or keeping the WiFi router online for about 77 hours. If you're dealing with a power outage and you just loaded up during a major Costco run, you can keep the refrigerator running about 20 hours with the DJI Power 1000 V2.

DJI upped the recharging power with the second version of the Power 1000 and now you'll be able to get a full charge in about 56 minutes if you plug it into the wall. If you don't have an hour to spare, just 37 minutes will get you up to 80% power.

Before the next power outage hits, equip you home with the DJI Power 1000 V2 while it's on sale for $399. Just be sure to take advantage of the on-page coupon to score this sale price. Not only is it handy for power outages, it's perfect for off-grid jobsites, camping, and content creation journeys.

HP has just announced its new convertible laptop, the Chromebook Plus x360, bringing an 8-core Intel processor and a high-resolution 14-inch screen to the popular ChromeOS platform. This has gotten a lot of upgrades to meet the Chromebook Plus standard.

Qualcomm hit the mid-range laptop market with the release of the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a powerful new system-on-a-chip built to power the next wave of affordable Windows PCs. This new chip slots right below the flagship X2 Elite, which was revealed a few months ago.

In a world of satellites and cell towers, radio may seem hopelessly outdated. But there are plenty of good reasons to get a ham radio license in today's world. From personal hobbies to emergency situations, you never know when it might come in handy.

Gone are the days when people balk at you if you say you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed the way we date — much like social media platforms have changed the way we interact with each other overall. With so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in, especially if you're looking for that special someone.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you're a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok. 

The discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. Singles told Mashable earlier this year they'd rather meet a potential partner in person, but they're begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent quarters, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. After Zohran Mamdani's win for New York City mayor in November, for example, Hinge users complained that it was somehow "not the same app" where he had met his wife four years prior.

Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they're the way to do it. If you're, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app does have its uses.

What is the #1 best dating app?

Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it's difficult to quantify which ones are the "best." Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on the type of relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

WD_Black solid state drives are some of the best SSDs for workstations, gaming PCs, PlayStation 5 consoles, and anything else that needs high-performance storage. However, you'll soon find them under a new name: SanDisk Optimus.

Gone are the days of buying two separate audio devices to listen to music on the go. New audio brand TDM — short for Tomorrow Doesn’t Matter — just debuted the world's "first and only" headphones that can twist into a portable speaker in a matter of seconds.

Announced at CES 2026 on Monday, the TDM Neo Hybrid headphones feature a modular design that instantly transforms them from personal over-ear headphones into a compact Bluetooth speaker with a twist. No setup or extra parts necessary. So, when you want to share a song with others, you can simply flick your wrist to convert your solo listening experience into a group jam session.

"With Neo, we want to empower people to live for the now, giving traditional headphone users the freedom to take what they’re listening to and share it through speakers at any given moment,” said David Brailsford, co-founder of TDM."

Credit: TDM

Beyond the groundbreaking twistability feature, these headphones also include four independently tuned 40mm speaker drivers (two inward and two outward), dual integrated amplifiers for a detailed sound profile, and impressive volume for a speaker that fits in the palm of your hand. As headphones, TDM says they'll last an astounding 200 hours before needing a recharge. As a speaker, you'll need to recharge in about 10 hours. The battery system is also removable, which means you can replace it to extend the life of your Neo headphones and keep listening for years.

Don't care to share your tunes on any given day? You can customize what happens when you twist the TDM Neo. Auto mode will seamlessly switch the audio from the headphone drivers to the speaker drivers when you twist, but you can also set it to pause, power down, or remain inactive on twist.

Tech specs:

• Bluetooth 6 multipoint pairing

• Built-in microphone

• 4 independently tuned speaker drivers

• Dual integrated amplifiers

• 200+ hour battery life in headphones mode

• 10+ hour battery life in speaker mode

• USB-C fast charging (get 8 hours in just 5 minutes)

• Replaceable battery module

• Mode customization on twist

• Adjustable headband

• Removable ear cushions

• Auto power-off

• Overcharge and thermal protection

• Weighs less than 350g

How to order the TDM Neo Hybrid headphones

The Neo Hybrid headphones will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter later this month for $249 in both black and white colorways. If you want to be in the know and get an exclusive discount, head over to the TDM website and sign up for updates with your email address.

Opens in a new window Credit: TDM TDM Neo Hybrid headphones $249
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Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

SAVE 50%: As of Jan. 5, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 for $398.99, down from $799, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $400.01 savings.

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $398.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $400.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Whether you’re planning off-grid camping trips or just want to be the only person on the block with a working fridge during a summer blackout, there's no doubt that having a reliable power station is a good investment.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the go

As of Jan. 5, you can get the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 for $398.99, down from $799, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $400.01 savings.

The v2 model features a 1,070Wh LiFePO4 battery, which is rated for 4,000 charge cycles. In plain English, that means you can use it daily for over a decade before the battery even starts to show its age. It’s also 18 percent smaller and lighter than the previous version, weighing in at just 23.8 pounds, so you won't throw out your back lugging it from the car to the campsite.

You'll also get a 1,500W AC output with a 3,000W surge peak (plenty of power to run a full-sized fridge, a coffee maker, or even a portable AC unit). If the battery does run dry, you can juice it back from 0 to 100 percent in just one hour using the "Emergency Super Charge" mode in the Jackery app.

If you identify as straight but are open to queer experiences, you're not alone. You may be called "heteroflexible," a portmanteau that signals being "mostly straight" with a flexibility towards same-sex attraction. 

And according to Feeld, "heteroflexible" is the fastest-growing sexuality on the hookup app — 193 percent in 2025. Switching between heteroflexible and straight is one of the most common sexuality shifts, the app stated in its Feeld Raw 2025 report, with millennials making up almost two-thirds of total heteroflexible members (65 percent), and Gen Z at 18 percent.

What does heteroflexibility mean?

There's no objective definition of heteroflexibility. In fact, it hasn't yet been used in the scientific study of the psychology of sexual orientation, said Pavel S. Blagov, Ph.D, professor of psychology at Whitman College.

SEE ALSO: What does WLW mean? The term is all over TikTok.

One of the earliest cited writings on the term, by then-professor of sociology at Yale University Laurie Essig, was published by Salon in 2000. Essig, now a professor at Middlebury College, defined heteroflexibility as when someone "has or intends to have a primarily heterosexual lifestyle, with a primary sexual and emotional attachment to someone of the opposite sex." But, as Essig continued, "that person remains open to sexual encounters and even relationships with persons of the same sex."

As much as 15 percent of the American population may identify as heteroflexible, according to a 2019 study. 

What's the origin of the term "heteroflexibility"?

The exact genesis of the term "heteroflexible" is unknown, but it's been used as early as the 1990s. In the 1997 humor glossary of LGBTQ slang When Drag is Not a Car Race, heteroflexibility is defined as "bisexual, or at least open to sexual experimentation."

Heteroflexible appeared to pick up steam on college campuses in the early 2000s, as displayed in Essig's Salon article. A 2002 dispatch from The Buffalo News declared heteroflexbile the "hot term being bandied about on campus," and defined it as "the condition of being not fully bisexual but open to adventure."

How is heteroflexibility used today?

Today, people seem to use the term differently, said Blagov, and its use is being studied by scholars in gender studies, sociology, and public health. 

"The concept seems to have different meanings across individuals and in different corners of popular culture," he continued. There are several facets of sexual orientation that one may use heteroflexibility to refer to: someone's identity, their sexual desires, their sexual behavior, or something else, or a combination of these. 

Based on various sources online, Blagov senses that someone who describes themselves as heteroflexible may be trying to convey one or more of these concepts: "Some degree of attraction to the same sex; some degree of interest in same-sex sexual behavior; a positive attitude toward diversity in sexual orientation; an open mind about different identities; that they owe some allegiance to a heterosexual or straight identity; and that they do not identify as bisexual or homosexual." 

He also cited sociologist Héctor Carrillo and contributor Amanda Hoffman, who researched sexualities of American men in an aptly titled study, Straight with a pinch of bi. On one hand, Carrillo and Hoffman wrote, terms like heteroflexibility and "bi-curious" represent a renewed sense of sexual identity among young straight Americans with same-sex desire — and possibly a search for public recognition and societal acceptance. 

At the same time, Carrillo argued, by not adopting a queer identity like bisexual, heteroflexible people seek to remain in the "heterosexual category." They want an indication that same-sex desire and behavior "are not altogether incompatible with heterosexuality."

Blagov reiterated that heteroflexibility isn't currently an established concept in the scientific study of psychology. "It is not referring to how a person's mind works or any objectively defined way in which people differ," he said. At least currently, it doesn't indicate a proven difference among people. Rather, it's a label people have started using to describe themselves and others. 

The use of heteroflexible also likely differs across individuals and groups, and — like our definition of so many other words — may change over time.

Is heteroflexibility just bisexuality?

Heteroflexibility, Essig wrote, "is a rejection of bisexuality since the inevitable question that comes up in bisexuality is one of preference, and the preference of the heteroflexible is quite clear."

At first, Essig said she was pissed at the term. "I resented the fact that they [young people] would root their marginal sexual practices in the safety of heterosexuality," she said. Then, after reflecting, she embraced it because in her view, it could bring an end to heterosexuality's dominance. In the future, Essig mused, everyone would be flexible.

Other scholars, however, don't have such a rosy view of the term. In a 2009 article about queer representation in the media, media and communications professor Lisa Blackman wrote that "heteroflexible" serves to expand the boundaries of the "heterosexual" label rather than to normalize queer identities. Flexibility is merely a "temporary interruption" of heterosexual desire, a "break from the routine."

Blackman goes on to say that the idea of flexibility serves to support the agency of heterosexual people, but not queer people. Queer attraction, at least in media at the time of Blackman's writing, was seen as something novel for straight people (primarily women) to experience. She cites two examples — Samantha Jones in Sex and the City and Jessica in Kissing Jessica Stein — as characters who flirted with homosexuality, but only temporarily.

Does "heteroflexibility" describe queer desire in terms of...straightness? In Blackman's sense, yes, said Andrew Cheng, assistant professor in the department of linguistics at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (previously a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Linguistics at Simon Fraser University). 

While this argument is an academic look into film and television at the time, other queer people have decried the term for similar reasons. Writer Charlie Williams said in Affinity Magazine that the word heteroflexible erases bi identities, saying both heteroflexible and the opposite, homoflexible, are just "fancy words" for bisexual. Another writer, Kravitz M., called for people who feel attraction to multiple genders to question why they don't call themselves bi, and claimed it might be because of internalized biphobia.

For some, any flexibility is a deviation from the heterosexual standard and will be judged negatively, particularly for men who experience bi erasure, according to Dr. Luke Brunning, a lecturer in applied ethics at the University of Leeds and co-director of the Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships. "For others, perhaps those firmly within the queer community, heteroflexibility might be viewed with suspicion, as indicative of a reticence to be open about someone's 'true' bisexuality, for example, or as evidence of internalized homophobia."

It's important to remember, though, that the meanings and uses of identity labels change quickly — especially in the internet age — and that identities are dependent on local communities, said Cheng. 

"The rise in heteroflexibility as an identification among, say, rural men in the Midwest today, might be very different from how it was used by city-dwelling college students in the nineties," he continued.

Further, without much psychological research, it's hard to speculate why someone may identify as heteroflexible (or bi-curious or "mostly straight") instead of a queer identity, said Blagov. 

For some people, the term "heteroflexible" accurately describes how they experience attraction or behave, said Brunning, who provided insights for Feeld. (Brunning was also interviewed by Mashable in 2020 for his book on non-monogamy). For others, he continued, it might be a "promise-to-self," something they want to look into further or explore.

All this to say, there's no "correct" use of heteroflexible. It may not be its own sexual orientation — it's been long known that sexual attraction can fall somewhere between hetero and homosexual — but anyone is free to identify as such. Sexuality, like language itself, can be flexible.

This article was originally published in 2022 and republished in 2026 with new information.

SAVE $399.99: The 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: WD_Black 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD $630 at Amazon
$1,029.99 Save $399.99   Get Deal

The holidays are over and now we're in the long stretch of winter. Spring and warmer temps are still a few months away, and if you plan to spend some serious time gaming this winter on a PS5, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 5, the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.

If you find yourself constantly juggling your PS5 downloads to make room for new game titles and updates, you need more storage. Unfortunately, the world is in a storage battle right now and the prices on SSD and RAM have gone a bit bananas. Thankfully, we have this Amazon deal on an 8TB SSD that's certified for PS5.

SEE ALSO: Take on feudal Japan in 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' at the lowest price we've seen

With this upgrade, you won't have to transfer or remove games from your console to make room for extra titles. Plus, it's easy to install into the M.2 slot. WD_Black states this SSD comes with read speeds of up to 7,200 MB/s, so you won't have to worry about load times. Bonus points go to this as the only 8TB NVME SSD that's officially certified for the PS5.

With an 8TB upgrade, WD_Black says you'll have the space for up to 200 games. The built-in heat sink is also beneficial for helping keep things cool.

Since we have no idea what the price of storage will do in 2026, ensure you have plenty of space by scoring this deal on the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 for $630 at Amazon. Your winter gaming will appreciate the extra space.

Amazon is rolling out a major software update to Fire TV devices, bringing a completely redesigned, faster user interface, and simultaneously debuting a brand-new TV line. The company is making sure you don't spend too much time searching for something to watch.

Midsize SUVs keep getting pricier, more complicated, and honestly a bit samey—but this one still feels like it’s playing a different game. Instead of chasing luxury-brand prices, it focuses on giving you real substance for the money, and that’s getting harder to find.

For years, the Alexa voice assistant has been on phones, tablets, smart home devices, and everything in-between. Now, it's coming (back) to your web browser, designed as an alternative to generative AI chatbots like Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

SAVE 43%: As of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho Smart Scale $19.99 at Amazon
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Getting a better handle on your health doesn't necessarily mean hitting a specific number on the scale. If you’re trying to actually feel better this year, it’s worth looking at the full picture, including your sleep, hydration, and body composition.

SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutions

As of Jan. 5, you can get the Renpho Smart Scale for $19.99, down from $34.99, at Amazon. That's a 43% discount or $15 in savings. This is a solid, entry-level price for a tool that gives you a much broader picture of your health than a traditional "dumb" scale ever could.

This scale uses four high-sensitivity electrodes to track 13 different body metrics, including BMI, bone mass, and muscle mass. That data then syncs directly to the Renpho Health app, which is compatible with Fitbit, Apple Health, and Samsung Health. The app is great for spotting long-term trends rather than obsessing over daily fluctuations. It also features a baby and pet weighing mode, so everyone in your household can use it.

Bonus: If you have an FSA or HSA account, this scale is also eligible for reimbursement, which is a nice way to use up those funds on something that'll help you stay on top of your wellness goals.

Controlling your smart home with a dashboard or smart buttons is great, but the real power of a smart home comes from automation. There's nothing more satisfying than having the actions you want to occur happen like magic without you having to do anything at all. When you're creating automations in Home Assistant, there's a key setting you should be aware of.

Anker's Soundcore has released the AeroFit 2 Pro, which are dual-form earbuds that can physically switch between an open-ear design and a noise-canceling, semi-in-ear fit. This is a genuinely clever piece of engineering that makes it great for anyone who wants the best of both worlds.

Before you say anything—Linux is great. I've been writing Linux advocacy pieces for more than a decade. Desktop Linux has come along by leaps and bounds, and has yet to reach its full potential. However, for those who have never used Linux in any of its flavors, there are still reasons to think twice before diving in.

Teens spend an average of 70 minutes on their smartphones during school hours, according to new research published Monday in JAMA.

The study found that students aren't using their devices for educational purposes, either. Instead, they're mostly scrolling social media, racking up roughly 30 minutes per day on apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. They also game on Roblox and Pokemon GO, as well as watch videos on Netflix and YouTube. By comparison, they spend an average of a minute-and-a-half on productivity- and education-related uses, like Google Docs, the tutoring app Khan Academy, and the homework help app Chegg.

"Phones can support learning, but that’s not how they were mostly used during the school day," Dr. Jason Nagata, the study's lead author, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Make 2026 the year your kid gets off their device

The data were collected from 640 teens ages 13 to 18 participating in a massive longitudinal research effort known as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The teens shared their school's start time with researchers, who then used a reasonable estimate for the end of the students' school day.

Instead of surveying the teens, who might not accurately remember their phone habits, the researchers relied on an app installed on each participant's phone to passively measure uses like social media and gaming apps, internet browsing, and video viewing. A previous smaller study that also measured smartphone activity estimated that students used their phones for an hour-and-a-half during school hours.

Nagata believes the hour-plus that teens spend on their phones at school "inevitably competes with attention to learning." He also noted that while some phone use may happen during breaks or lunch, that activity could interfere with face-to-face socializing, physical activity, and mental rest.

"Heavy phone use can displace those benefits and reduce opportunities for real-world connection," Nagata said.

Parents, educators, policymakers, and students themselves have long been concerned about the disruptive role of phones at school, which can exacerbate bullying, burn teachers out, and distract teens from academics.

Nagata said the study provided objective data demonstrating that smartphones remain a significant part of students' school-day experience.

Since the researchers collected data between 2022 and 2024, they acknowledge that the findings may not reflect more recent phone-free school policies that resulted from increasing political and public momentum for bans and solutions like Yondr pouches. The participants all used Android devices, so the findings may not apply to those with Apple smartphones.

SEE ALSO: Kids aren't learning to spell anymore

Importantly, the researchers identified risk factors and disparities associated with higher rates of school-time phone use. Students with problematic social media and phone use appeared to spend several more minutes each day on social media and their devices during school hours.

Black students spent 12 to 20 minutes more on their phones daily during school time compared to white participants. Low-income students generally used their phones more during the school day than high-income students.

The researchers didn't evaluate the reasons for these disparities but suggested they might stem from differences in school environments, which could include class size and school resources.

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist who's conducted extensive academic research on screen time but was not involved in this study, found the results compelling.

"Some argue that students are using their phones during the school day mostly for educational purposes," said Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives. "This study provides strong evidence that's not the case: Adolescents are instead using their phones for entertainment and social media."

In The Pitt, change is constant.

The Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center's nonstop stream of patients leaves its staff in eternal flux. Anything can roll through the doors and alter the course of an shift. Conditions can jump from stable to life-threatening faster than you can say "yinz." Because of this, Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle, fresh off an Emmy win) and his team have to be ready to switch up their care plans at a moment's notice. 

SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

That sense of oscillation is a huge reason why The Pitt’s ER-meets-24 formula is so intoxicating. Thankfully, the HBO series only doubles down on it in Season 2, forcing its characters to confront change not just where their patients are concerned, but also in the Emergency Department itself. New faces, new rules...all these additions risk destabilizing the Pitt’s already shaky equilibrium, creating another captivating high-wire act of TV.

There’s a new sheriff in town in The Pitt Season 2 Sepideh Moafi in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

A new season of The Pitt means a new shift. This time around, it’s the Fourth of July, meaning several months have passed since Season 1’s PittFest tragedy.

Since then, the unthinkable has happened: Dr. Robby has decided to take a vacation. A three-month sabbatical, no less! His plan to take a motorcycle trip has his coworkers worried — especially since he’s not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the season’s opening scene — but Robby is just focused on getting through one last shift before he departs.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' Season 2's first scene is out, and I'm already concerned for Dr. Robby

His last day overlaps with the first of his replacement attending, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi). Right off the bat, their dynamic crackles with barely-disguised annoyance. Robby bristles at Al-Hashimi's arrival, and instantly decides she's stepping on his toes. Al-Hashimi, meanwhile, takes offense at Robby’s prickly attitude — towards her, towards her relationship with the student doctors, and especially towards the changes she wants to implement in the ED.

The Pitt’s new characters may aggravate you at first — but that’s the point Gerran Howell, Amielynn Abellera, Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

And what changes Al-Hashimi has in store! On top of wanting to do away with the ED's nickname of "the Pitt" — the horror! — she's also hellbent on bolstering departmental efficiency. Tactics include the implementation of "patient passports" and the use of AI apps in patient charting. Everything she says sets a vein popping on Robby's forehead. How dare she try to shake up the system the ED's staff has used for years?

Given that audiences are more familiar with Robby, chances are they'll side with him at first. His own disgruntled reaction feels like a meta parallel to TV audiences' irritations at new characters shaking up the casts of their comfort shows. Like Robby, these audiences wonder, why disrupt a well-oiled machine with a new part?

Of course, it's these disruptions that make things interesting from season to season, and Al-Hashimi is an immediately interesting addition to The Pitt. Moafi's calm, pointed delivery makes Al-Hashimi a clear counterpoint to the controlled chaos of the ED, positioning her as an outside authority figure. Seeing which staff members embrace her versus which stand by Robby weaves an engrossing, yet subtle, web of tension throughout the season. 

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But Al-Hashimi is more than just a thorn in Robby's side on his last day. Over the course of the first nine episodes sent to critics, The Pitt also shines a spotlight on her point of view, especially when it comes to her well-intentioned, if flawed, proposals. That much-needed depth turns Al-Hashimi from antagonistic force to a new cog in The Pitt’s medical machine.

The same is almost true of The Pitt's new student doctors, Joy Kwon (Irene Choi) and James Ogilvie (Lucas Iverson). At first, the former seems almost apathetic towards her work, while the latter is a textbook jerk genius with little social awareness. As the shift's hours tick by, The Pitt does its best to bring Kwon out of her shell and humble Ogilvie, but for the most part, they feel more like mentee accessories to Dr. Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell). That could change in the season's final episodes, though. After all, The Pitt's first season proved adept at altering our perceptions of its cast over the course of a day. Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) first struck me as a one-dimensional portrait of overconfident condescension, but I soon came to admire her quick wits and conviction in calling out Dr. Frank Langdon's (Patrick Ball) medication theft. Perhaps Kwon and Ogilvie are on a similar, Santos-esque path.

The Pitt remains timelier than ever Sepideh Moafi, Taylor Dearden, Katherine LaNasa, Gerran Howell, and Supriya Ganesh in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

In addition to all of its new characters — plus developments like Robby’s sabbatical or Langdon’s return — The Pitt continues its track record of providing unflinching looks at the modern medical landscape. You can still expect hyperrealistic medical procedures, with the Fourth of July setting adding extra specificity to the season's injuries. Grills? Firecrackers? Festive pub crawls? All end with new patients getting wheeled into the ED.

Plus, just as Season 1 tackled tough issues like abortion and gun violence, Season 2 treads new ground with its discussions of current hot-button issues. At the forefront, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the ED, which turns The Pitt into a microcosm of the wider debate behind AI technology. Is it a useful tool? Or do its frequent errors outweighs the benefits? Will it streamline humans' work days, or reduce healthcare jobs for humans? These are the questions The Pitt ponders — and loudly — throughout the season.

Elsewhere, in a more quiet fashion, The Pitt examines the impacts of the Trump administration on healthcare. Donald Trump's name is never stated outright, but mentions of the White House cutting funding to research — such as a study about racial disparities in healthcare that Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) was involved in — make it crystal clear who The Pitt is calling out.

The standout, though, when it comes to Season 2’s look into key social issues, is its portrayal of the procedure of gathering evidence for a sexual assault forensic exam, including a rape kit. Over the course of several episodes, charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) walks sexual assault victim Ilana (Tina Ivlev) through the process, giving her support, resources, and space when the situation becomes too much. The examination room becomes a quiet bubble in the midst of the ED's pandemonium, one where The Pitt is able to offer the deliberate care such a storyline (and a survivor) deserves. LaNasa, fresh off an Emmy win, remains extraordinary here. Dana sheds the tough demeanor she exhibits around the ED and its more unruly patients, instead becoming the quiet, supportive figure Ilana needs.

This storyline, among the many other highlights from Season 2, remains proof of The Pitt’s staying power. As Dr. Robby and his staff weather change after change, the show itself remains empathetic, educational, and totally unforgettable.

The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.