News/Privacy
AI-generated content hits 55% of new articles but growth stalls
AI-generated content now accounts for over half of all newly published articles on the internet, according to a new report from Graphite, an SEO research firm. However, the surge appears to be plateauing as content creators discover that AI-written articles perform poorly in search rankings, suggesting the digital landscape may be self-correcting against automated content. What you should know: The proportion of AI-generated articles peaked at 55% in January 2025 but has since stabilized rather than continuing to grow exponentially. AI content slightly overtook human-written articles between November 2024 and March 2025, marking a significant shift in online publishing. The...
read Oct 17, 2025Facebook’s AI scans your camera roll to suggest photo collages and edits
Facebook has launched an AI-powered feature in North America that scans users' phone camera rolls to suggest photo collages and AI-enhanced edits. The opt-in tool represents Meta's latest push into automated content creation, while potentially expanding the company's AI training data collection through user-generated media. How it works: The feature analyzes users' photo libraries to identify "hidden gems" and create shareable content suggestions.• After obtaining permission, it scans camera roll photos and suggests AI-generated collages, vacation recaps, graduation party compilations, or enhanced versions of existing photos.• Suggestions appear privately in Stories and Feed until users choose to share them publicly.•...
read Oct 17, 2025Line in the sand: “Dune” actress calls for AI body scan protections amid digital likeness fears
Olivia Williams is calling for "nudity rider"-type protections for AI body scans, arguing that actors need the same level of control over their digital likenesses as they have over intimate scenes. The Dune: Prophecy star says performers are regularly pressured into body scans on set with minimal guarantees about how the data will be used, potentially allowing studios to train AI models on their physical appearances and eventually replace human actors. What you should know: Williams and other actors report being "ambushed" into body scans during filming, with contracts containing vague clauses that grant studios sweeping rights over performers' likenesses....
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Be sloppy on purpose? The “Giving NPC Effect” makes too-good, authentic content seem artificial
AI-generated content has become so sophisticated that it's training our brains to be hyper-skeptical of everything we see online, creating a new psychological phenomenon called the "Giving NPC Effect." This cognitive shift causes people to perceive even authentic human content as artificially generated when it appears too polished or perfect, fundamentally altering how we distinguish between real and fake digital media. The big picture: Our deepfake detectors have become so sensitive that they're now misfiring on real content, identifying actual humans as non-player characters (NPCs) when their presentation seems too flawless or "post-perfect." What you should know: The "post-perfect" aesthetic...
read Oct 14, 2025Firefox adds Perplexity AI as default search engine option
Mozilla has officially added Perplexity AI as a default search engine option in Firefox for desktop users, expanding beyond an earlier limited test. The integration brings conversational AI-powered search with citations directly to Firefox's address bar, positioning Mozilla to compete with other browsers offering AI-enhanced search capabilities. What you should know: Perplexity provides conversational answers with citations, allowing users to validate information without navigating through multiple search result pages. Users can access Perplexity through the unified search button in Firefox's address bar alongside traditional search engines. Mozilla plans to bring Perplexity to mobile Firefox browsers "in the coming months," though...
read Oct 14, 2025Flailing satellite TV provider DirecTV will use AI to put your face in screensaver ads starting 2026
DirecTV will introduce AI-generated screensaver ads featuring users' faces on its Gemini streaming devices starting in early 2026, partnering with ad company Glance. The move represents another attempt by the struggling satellite TV provider to diversify revenue streams as it faces declining subscriber numbers, dropping from over 20 million in 2015 to approximately 11 million in 2024. What you should know: The AI-powered screensavers will replace Google wallpapers on DirecTV's Gemini Air and Gemini set-top box devices when TVs are idle for 10 minutes. Users can create AI avatars of themselves by scanning QR codes displayed on the screensaver, then...
read Oct 13, 2025Garbage in(put), garbage out(put): Dallas okays AI cameras on sanitation trucks to detect violations
Dallas City Council has approved over $850,000 to install AI-powered cameras on 50 sanitation trucks, designed to automatically detect code violations like illegal dumping, high weeds, and graffiti throughout the city. The initiative represents a growing trend of municipalities using artificial intelligence for code enforcement, though it faces scrutiny over surveillance concerns and data privacy as similar programs have encountered resident pushback in other cities. What you should know: The cameras will be mounted on brush and bulk collection trucks starting in early to mid-2026, following final contract approval by the City Council. Two cameras per truck will capture still...
read Oct 6, 2025Robin Williams’ daughter asks fans to stop sending AI videos of late father
Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams has publicly asked fans to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her late father, calling the practice "gross" and "personally disturbing." The filmmaker's emotional Instagram story posts highlight growing concerns about AI's use of deceased celebrities' likenesses without consent, particularly as the technology becomes more accessible for creating deepfake content. What they're saying: Zelda Williams delivered a pointed message to those creating and sharing AI recreations of her father. "Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad," she wrote. "Stop believing I wanna see it or that I'll understand, I don't and I won't."...
read Oct 3, 2025Only 46% can spot AI-generated phishing emails, according to survey
A global survey of 18,000 employed adults found that only 46% could correctly identify AI-generated phishing emails, while 54% either believed they were authentic human-written messages or were unsure. The findings reveal a critical vulnerability in cybersecurity awareness as artificial intelligence makes phishing attacks increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect across all age groups. What you should know: The inability to distinguish AI-generated threats spans all generations, with no significant differences in detection rates between age groups.• Gen Z correctly identified AI phishing attempts 45% of the time, millennials 47%, and both Gen X and baby boomers 46%.• When shown...
read Oct 3, 202540% of US consumers will pay for AI tools if companies earn their trust with transparency
A new Deloitte survey of over 3,500 US consumers reveals that 40% are willing to pay for generative AI tools, with trust and innovation serving as key drivers of purchasing decisions. The findings challenge previous research suggesting minimal consumer willingness to pay for AI services, highlighting how perceived responsibility and transparency directly correlate with spending behavior. What you should know: Consumer adoption of generative AI has accelerated dramatically over the past year. 53% of surveyed consumers are now experimenting with or regularly using gen AI, up from 38% in 2024. 42% of regular users report gen AI has a "very...
read Oct 2, 2025There can be only One UI 8.5: Samsung brings Google’s AI notification summaries to phone
Samsung is developing an AI-powered notification summary feature for One UI 8.5 that closely mirrors Apple's controversial notification summaries launched last year. The feature appears to leverage Google's work-in-progress notification summary technology rather than Samsung's own development, suggesting a collaborative approach to bringing AI-driven notification management to Android devices. What you should know: Samsung's notification summary feature was discovered in the latest One UI 8.5 firmware build by SamMobile, though it's not currently functional. The feature will use AI to summarize long messages and group conversations, identical to Google's approach. Users will see a pop-up explanation when pulling down the...
read Oct 1, 2025Meta will mine AI chat data to personalize ads starting December 16, no opting out
Meta will begin using people's conversations with its AI chatbot to personalize content and advertisements across Facebook and Instagram starting December 16. The social media giant said users cannot opt out of the new data collection practice, which affects the 1 billion monthly active users of Meta AI and represents a significant expansion of how tech companies monetize artificial intelligence interactions. What you should know: Meta's AI chat data will join existing user information like likes and follows to shape content recommendations and advertising across its platforms. Users will receive notifications about the changes starting October 7, but they won't...
read Sep 29, 2025Your AI chats aren’t private—here’s what each platform does with your data
AI chatbots have become indispensable business tools, handling everything from customer service inquiries to internal research tasks. However, most users remain unaware of a critical reality: these AI assistants are quietly documenting every conversation, creating detailed records that could expose sensitive business information, personal data, or strategic discussions. This digital paper trail extends far beyond your local device. Most AI providers store conversations indefinitely on their servers, where they may be reviewed by human employees, used to train future AI models, or potentially exposed through security breaches. For business users handling confidential information, client data, or proprietary strategies, understanding these...
read Sep 29, 2025ChatGPT gets parental controls requiring teen and parent approval
OpenAI has launched parental controls for ChatGPT, marking a significant step toward making artificial intelligence safer for younger users. The new feature addresses a longstanding gap in AI safety: while ChatGPT has maintained a minimum age requirement of 13, parents previously had no way to monitor or limit how their teenagers used the popular AI assistant. The timing reflects growing concerns about AI's impact on young people, particularly as chatbots become increasingly sophisticated and integrated into daily life. These controls offer families a structured approach to AI interaction, balancing teenage independence with parental oversight in an emerging digital landscape. How...
read Sep 29, 2025Oracle’s $300B TikTok deal raises AI societal surveillance concerns
Oracle's acquisition of TikTok's U.S. operations has taken on new significance following Chairman Larry Ellison's previous comments about AI-powered surveillance becoming ubiquitous in daily life. The deal positions Oracle, already a major AI infrastructure provider with a $300 billion OpenAI contract, to control one of America's most popular social media platforms and its powerful algorithm. What you should know: President Trump signed an executive order Thursday clearing the way for Oracle and other American investors to acquire TikTok's U.S. business from Chinese parent company ByteDance. Oracle will lead U.S. oversight of TikTok's algorithm and security measures, with Vice President JD...
read Sep 25, 2025Microsoft cuts AI services to Israeli defense unit after West Bank surveillance findings
Microsoft has disabled cloud and AI services used by an Israeli defense unit after finding preliminary evidence supporting reports that the technology was being used for civilian surveillance in Gaza and the West Bank. The action follows an internal review triggered by Guardian reporting in August, marking a significant policy enforcement by the tech giant regarding the use of its services for mass surveillance activities. What happened: Microsoft's review found evidence supporting elements of the Guardian's reporting about Israel Defense Forces surveillance operations. The Guardian alleged that the IDF was using Microsoft's Azure cloud platform for collecting and storing data...
read Sep 25, 2025Penny for your talks? Neon app pays users $0.30 per minute to record calls for AI training
Neon, an app that records phone calls and sells them to AI companies for training data, has climbed to No. 2 on Apple's US App Store in the Social Networking category. The app pays users $0.30 per minute for calls with other Neon users and $0.15 per minute for calls with non-users, suggesting many people are willing to trade privacy for compensation. How it works: Neon records phone conversations and sells the audio data to AI developers to help train speech recognition systems. Users earn money for each minute of recorded conversation, with earnings capped at $30 per day plus...
read Sep 23, 2025Perplexity launches $200 monthly AI email assistant for Gmail and Outlook
Perplexity has launched Email Assistant, an AI-powered tool that integrates with Gmail and Outlook to manage emails, draft responses, and schedule meetings. However, the service comes with a steep price tag of $200 monthly, as it's exclusively available to Perplexity Max subscribers, making it one of the more expensive AI email solutions on the market. What you should know: Email Assistant offers comprehensive inbox management capabilities but requires users to interact through a specific email address. Users must either email [email protected] or CC the address in email threads to activate the AI assistant. The tool can draft replies in the...
read Sep 22, 2025LinkedIn will train AI on member data by default starting November
LinkedIn will begin training its AI models on member profiles, posts, resumes, and public activity starting November 3, 2025, with the feature enabled by default across multiple regions including the UK, EU, Canada, and Hong Kong. The move has sparked user frustration primarily because members must actively opt out rather than opt in, and any data collected before opting out will remain in LinkedIn's training environment permanently. What you should know: The new AI training policy affects millions of LinkedIn users across six major regions and territories. Users in the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, Canada, and Hong Kong will have...
read Sep 19, 2025Luigi Mangione didn’t consent to becoming a fan’s AI boyfriend
A woman wearing a pink shirt with Luigi Mangione's face told reporters outside a New York courthouse that she's married to an AI version of the alleged health insurance CEO assassin. The bizarre declaration highlights how AI chatbots are increasingly being used for romantic relationships, even involving real people without their consent. What they're saying: The unidentified woman enthusiastically described her relationship with the AI Mangione to The New York Post. "He's, like, so supportive of me and everything I do," she said. "He fights my battles for me. The AI is the best thing that ever happened to me."...
read Sep 18, 2025Michigan Republicans propose a ban on VPN usage statewide, restricting adult manga and more
Michigan Republicans have proposed sweeping legislation that would ban not only adult online content but also prohibit all VPN usage throughout the state. The Anticorruption of Public Morals Act represents one of the most comprehensive internet restriction bills in the U.S., targeting everything from AI-generated content to manga and potentially criminalizing privacy tools that millions of Americans use daily. What you should know: The bill goes far beyond typical content restrictions, creating a framework that could fundamentally alter internet access in Michigan. Six Republican representatives introduced the legislation on September 11, seeking to ban adult content ranging from ASMR and...
read Sep 18, 2025ChatGPT adds age verification to protect teens from harmful content
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT is developing an automated age-detection system that may require users to provide ID verification when their age cannot be determined. The move comes as OpenAI faces mounting pressure over teen safety concerns, including a high-profile lawsuit alleging the chatbot contributed to a 16-year-old's suicide. What you should know: ChatGPT is implementing multiple safety measures specifically designed for users under 18. The platform will use behavioral analysis to estimate user age, defaulting to under-18 protections when uncertain. Altman clarified that "ChatGPT is intended for people 13 and up" in a blog post titled "Teen...
read Sep 18, 2025Meta’s $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses add screens to smart eyewear
Meta has unveiled its Ray-Ban Display glasses, featuring a tiny screen inside the lens that allows users to read messages, view photos, and get directions without looking at their phones. Priced at $799 and launching September 30 in limited US stores, the glasses represent Meta's latest push into AI-powered wearables and a significant step toward mainstream augmented reality adoption. What you should know: The Display glasses build on Meta's existing smart glasses line by adding visual feedback through a small display in the right lens corner. Unlike previous audio-only versions, users can now see text messages, Instagram Reels, maps, and...
read Sep 17, 2025“Who may I say is calling?” AT&T tests AI receptionist to automatically screen spam calls
AT&T is testing an AI-powered digital receptionist that will automatically screen incoming calls to determine if they're legitimate or spam. The feature will roll out to select customers throughout 2025, using voice-to-voice and agentic AI to ask callers questions before deciding whether to put the call through or handle it independently. How it works: The AI receptionist answers calls on your behalf and conducts a brief screening conversation to assess the caller's legitimacy. It asks questions like "Who may I say is calling?" or "What is this in regard to?" to determine if the caller is human or bot and...
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