The Download: AI companion dangers, and supersonic planes
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These are the two issues (nearly) all Americans are most concerned about
There’s no question that the face of America is changing.Those under 18 are the first majority minority generation: 53% are non-White; one in four are Hispanic, and one in five are the…
Reframing digital transformation through the lens of generative AI
Enterprise adoption of generative AI technologies has undergone explosive growth in the last two years and counting. Powerful solutions underpinned by this new generation of large language…
Hundreds of rigged votes can skew AI model rankings on Chatbot Arena, study finds
The generative AI revolution has turned into a global race, with mixtures of models from private companies and open-source initiatives all competing to become the most popular and…
A stool, a bread knife, and books: How the keepers of L.A.’s most famous homes chose what to save during the fires
As the Eaton Fire spread on January 7, curators at the Gamble House—an Arts and Crafts-era residence in Pasadena by the architecture firm Greene and Greene, which Back to the Future fans…
What a return to supersonic flight could mean for climate change
Last week, Boom Supersonic completed its first supersonic test flight of the XB-1 test aircraft. I watched the broadcast live, and the vibe was infectious, watching the hosts’ anticipation…
Trump’s immigration raids ignore a looming global crisis: There just aren’t enough workers
On Friday, January 10, four men worked quickly in a cold storage facility in Downtown Los Angeles, loading a van with vegetables. The normally chatty crew were nearly silent as they…
An AI chatbot told a user how to kill himself—but the company doesn’t want to “censor” it
Nowatzki, who is 46 and lives in Minnesota, dedicated four episodes to his meet-cute and dates with “Erin,” his first AI girlfriend—created, he adds, with the knowledge and consent of his…
Try these tips to help your parents stay safe online
This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here. When’s the last time you fielded a tech…
‘Attractive people doing attractive things’: Members of this Instagram group dress up to make ‘old money’ content
An X post recently made the rounds for its “old money” visuals. The video depicting weekends spent sailing Lake Como in tuxedos and candlelit dinners at impossibly long dining tables…
This copy trading app wants to produce the ‘next five Warren Buffetts’
Influencers are not only good for skinny jean and matcha recommendations. Now, they can advise you on where to invest your money. Founded by 23-year-old Steven Wang, Dub is an…
The workplace: A frontier for bipartisan progress
Nearly half of Americans believe that we will see a civil war in the United States in our lifetime. As a corporate leader of a large, diverse team that operates across the United States, I…
Technology is innovating sustainability and business value
The connection between innovation and climate action has never been more vital. As the urgency of global climate goals intensifies, industries are being forced to rethink old methods and…
In a time crunch? 3 ways GenAI can come through in a clutch
In just a couple of years, generative AI (GenAI) has made a big impact on the way people, companies, and entire industries think about work. It’s helping doctors and nurses, who spend more…
US Shoppers Face Fees of Up to $50 or More to Get Packages From China
Adhering to the new rules is also proving to be a major lift for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the US Postal Service. The latter briefly stopped accepting packages from China…
Figure skating champions to perform at benefit for D.C. plane crash
Many of America’s top figure skaters will gather in Washington, D.C., for a live “Legacy on Ice” tribute show to support families impacted by the January 29 plane crash that killed young…
Whole Foods asks NLRB to set aside union win at a Philadelphia store
Amazon-owned Whole Foods is asking the National Labor Relations Board to set aside the results of a union election in which the first group of the company’s employees voted in favor of…
Amazon’s Alexa generative AI upgrade is finally coming after delays
Amazon is set to release its long-awaited—and delayed—Alexa generative artificial intelligence voice service, said three people familiar with the matter, and has scheduled a press event…
Transportation Sec. Duffy suggests changing air traffic rules and antiquated tech
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday he is reconsidering rules that allowed air traffic control supervisors to reduce staffing at Washington’s Reagan National Airport…
This is what happens when Buy Now, Pay Later loans are folded into FICO scores
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans have become increasingly popular in recent years—originations grew tenfold between 2019 and 2021, for instance. Last year, roughly 20% of American consumers…
AMD stock drops nearly 10% on earnings as AI data center business disappoints. Meanwhile, Nvidia pops
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock (NASDAQ: AMD) fell 9% before the bell on Wednesday after the company fell short on sales for its data centers, despite reporting better-than-expected…
Disney hiked its streaming prices, and Disney+ subscribers declined for the first time
The Walt Disney Company posted first-quarter earnings Wednesday that beat on the top and bottom lines but also revealed the start of predicted streaming subscriber losses at its Disney+…
Walmart to cut jobs amid a changing retail landscape
Major changes are afoot behind-the-scenes at Walmart. The retailer is cutting hundreds of jobs and shuttering its North Carolina office. Employees from certain locations are also being…
How L.A. wildfire survivors face an unequal rebuilding battle due to insurance crisis
Before a wildfire ravaged their street in northwest Altadena, Louise Hamlin and Chris Wilson lived next door to each other in nearly identical houses. “I chose an old home in an old…