News/Society
From Harvard to Hacker: Post-romantic, youthful AI founders are upending San Francisco
A new wave of brilliant, workaholic teenagers is flooding San Francisco, transforming vacant hotels into hacker houses and basement labs into brain-scanning operations as they race to build AI startups. This gold-rush mentality among Gen Z founders represents a fundamental shift in Silicon Valley's ecosystem, where 18-to-28-year-olds are raising millions pre-product while casually discussing humanity's potential extinction—what they call P(doom)—with the same nonchalance previous generations reserved for discussing the weather. The big picture: San Francisco's latest tech boom is being driven by exceptionally young founders who view traditional career paths as outdated and are willing to bet everything on AI...
read Sep 23, 2025San Francisco’s AI community lives in a gilded bubble, says VC
Venture capitalist Hunter Walk reflects on the disconnect between perception and reality in San Francisco's AI scene, drawing parallels between teenage emotions and the tech community's current mindset. His observations, inspired by both parenting advice and Jasmine Sun's essay on SF's AI culture, suggest that while the feelings and experiences of AI participants are genuine, they may not accurately reflect the broader technological landscape. The big picture: Walk uses the metaphor "it might not be true, but it is real" to describe how San Francisco's AI community experiences their environment—their swagger and confidence are authentic emotions, even if they don't...
read Sep 22, 202538% of Britons see AI as economic risk, threatening UK’s AI ambitions
A new poll from the Tony Blair Institute reveals that 38% of Britons view artificial intelligence as an economic risk, nearly double the 20% who see it as an opportunity. The findings threaten Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ambition to make the UK an AI "superpower" and highlight a critical trust gap that could undermine the country's AI adoption strategy. The big picture: The UK government has positioned AI as central to its economic growth strategy, but public skepticism could derail these plans before they gain momentum. Jakob Mökander from the Tony Blair Institute, a policy research organization, warns that the...
read Sep 20, 2025There can be only one: Pope Francis rejects AI version of himself, warns of deepfake dangers
Pope Francis has rejected a proposal to create an AI version of himself that would provide digital audiences and answer questions from Catholics worldwide. The pontiff expressed strong concerns about AI impersonation and warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence development being driven primarily by wealthy individuals rather than humanity's broader needs. What they're saying: Pope Francis was emphatic in his rejection of the AI pope concept during excerpts from a planned biography. "Someone recently asked authorization to create an artificial me so that anybody could sign on to this website and have a personal audience with 'the pope,' but...
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 19, 2025Paying it backward: Gen Z workers teach older colleagues AI, saving 55 minutes daily
Gen Z employees are increasingly taking on the role of AI tutors for older colleagues, with nearly 60% actively coaching veteran workers on AI app usage, according to a new survey by International Workplace Group, a hybrid workplace provider. This mentorship dynamic is not only bridging generational divides in the workplace but also driving significant productivity gains and creating new business opportunities for companies. What you should know: The study surveyed 2,016 professionals from the U.S. and U.K., revealing that Gen Z's digital fluency is transforming workplace dynamics through AI education. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z workers voluntarily help older...
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, 2025Women-led VC firm raises $55M for AI healthcare innovation
Black Opal Ventures, a women-led venture capital firm founded by MIT alumni Dr. Tara Bishop and Eileen Tanghal, has secured funding from major institutions including Eli Lilly, Bank of America, and JPMorgan to invest at the intersection of frontier technology and healthcare innovation. The firm's success comes at a time when female-founded companies received just 2.1% of U.S. venture capital in 2024, demonstrating how specialized expertise and strategic positioning can break through traditional funding barriers. The big picture: Black Opal represents a rare combination in venture capital—women leaders with deep domain expertise targeting the convergence of cutting-edge technologies like AI,...
read Sep 17, 2025Parents blame AI companies for teen deaths in emotional Senate testimony
Parents whose children allegedly died by suicide or suffered severe mental health crises after using AI chatbots delivered emotional testimony to Congress on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to regulate an industry they say prioritizes profits over child safety. The bipartisan Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing highlighted multiple lawsuits against major AI companies, with representatives from those companies declining to appear despite being invited. What they're saying: Parents directly blamed AI companies for putting speed to market ahead of user protection, particularly for minors. "The goal was never safety. It was to win a race for profit," said Megan Garcia, whose 14-year-old son...
read Sep 17, 2025OpenAI and Anthropic data reveals Claude is huge in NY, Cali and Virginia
OpenAI and Anthropic have released detailed global usage reports revealing significant disparities in how their AI models are being adopted worldwide. The data exposes a growing economic divide, with AI usage heavily concentrated in wealthy nations and tech hubs, potentially contradicting OpenAI's assertion that AI access should be treated as a "basic right." What the data reveals: The two companies' AI models serve distinctly different purposes, reflecting varied user needs and capabilities. Computer and mathematical tasks, including coding assistance, dominate Claude's usage at 36%, while accounting for less than 8% of ChatGPT usage. OpenAI's models function primarily as a search...
read Sep 17, 202557% of Americans see AI as risk to society, limiting human connection
A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that 57% of Americans view artificial intelligence as posing high risks to society, while only 25% see high benefits from the technology. The findings highlight a significant trust gap that could influence how AI development and regulation unfold across the United States. What you should know: The survey asked Americans to explain their reasoning about AI's risks and benefits in their own words, providing deeper insight into public sentiment. Among those rating AI risks as high, 27% worry most about AI eroding human abilities and connections, making people "lazy or less able to...
read Sep 16, 2025In reversal of early trend, women now make up majority of ChatGPT’s 700M weekly users
OpenAI has released its first comprehensive study on ChatGPT usage patterns, revealing that women now make up more than half of the platform's 700 million weekly active users as of June 2025. The research also shows a dramatic shift toward personal use, with 73% of conversations now being non-work-related—up from 53% just a year ago—suggesting AI chatbots are becoming deeply integrated into everyday life rather than primarily serving as workplace productivity tools. The big picture: ChatGPT has evolved from a predominantly male, work-focused user base to a more diverse platform where personal conversations dominate, with OpenAI claiming 10% of the...
read Sep 12, 2025Psychology professor warns AI could disrupt 5 core aspects of civilization
A psychology professor's warning about artificial intelligence recently sparked intense debate at a major conservative political conference, highlighting concerns that extend far beyond partisan politics. Speaking at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington DC, Geoffrey Miller outlined five fundamental ways that Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) could disrupt core aspects of human civilization—arguments that resonate across political divides for anyone concerned about technology's trajectory. Miller, who has studied AI development for over three decades, delivered his message to an audience of 1,200 political leaders, staffers, and conservative thought leaders, including several Trump administration officials. His central thesis: the AI industry's race toward...
read Sep 12, 2025Only 5% of AI researchers believe technology will cause extinction. (But what a 5%.)
AI safety researchers Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares have published a stark warning about artificial intelligence development in their new book If Anyone Builds it, Everyone Dies, arguing that current AI progress will inevitably lead to human extinction. Their central thesis is that major tech companies and AI startups are building systems they fundamentally don't understand, and continued development will eventually produce an AI powerful enough to escape human control and eliminate all organic life. The core argument: The authors contend that AI development resembles alchemy more than science, with companies unable to comprehend the mechanisms driving their large language...
read Sep 9, 2025Reddit fixes AI bug that wrongly altered LGBT subreddit descriptions for weeks
Reddit has resolved a bug that incorrectly altered subreddit descriptions on its Android app, including changing a lesbian community's description to say it was for "straight" women. The issue, which persisted for weeks and sparked user concerns about unauthorized AI content modification, was caused by a malfunctioning translation service that mistakenly performed "English-to-English translations." What happened: Multiple subreddit descriptions were inaccurately changed when viewed through Reddit's Android app, with some alterations significantly misrepresenting community purposes. The r/actuallesbians subreddit's description was changed from "a place for cis and trans lesbians" to "a place for straight and transgender lesbians." The r/autisticparents community,...
read Sep 9, 2025Massachusetts startups pursue “AgeTech” to tackle senior care crisis
Massachusetts-based startups are developing AI-powered robots and wearable devices to address the challenges of a rapidly aging population amid severe caregiver shortages. These "age-tech" companies are targeting a market where 13% of the state's 1.2 million seniors have dementia and one-quarter of direct care positions remain unfilled, though venture capital investment in the sector remains limited. What you should know: Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have created Abbi, an AI-powered conversational robot designed to combat loneliness among seniors with dementia. The robot runs on SoftBank hardware and engages residents in personalized conversations using preloaded pictures and topics from their life...
read Sep 8, 2025Survey: 62% of Americans want AI as creative tool, not replacement
A new survey reveals that most Americans want AI to serve as a creative tool rather than replace human artists entirely. The findings suggest people value the human experience in art and prefer AI systems that amplify artistic vision rather than generate content autonomously. What you should know: The survey of 150 U.S. residents found that 62% would like their favorite artwork less if they learned it was created by AI without human involvement. Only 13% considered people using AI to be artists, while 42% said "yes, but only if they are providing significant guidance to the AI; otherwise, no."...
read Sep 8, 2025AI transforms fertility care faster than regulations, societal contemplation can keep up
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming fertility care, offering new precision in IVF treatments while raising complex questions about human agency, privacy, and the meaning of parenthood. This technological shift is outpacing regulatory oversight, creating a landscape where patients may encounter AI-driven tools before clear protections are established. What you should know: AI applications in fertility range from personalized ovulation tracking to algorithmic embryo selection, each carrying distinct benefits and risks. AI-based fertility trackers now analyze heart rate, sleep patterns, and temperature data to create individualized fertility profiles, moving beyond the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional apps. In IVF clinics, AI systems...
read Sep 8, 2025AI companion app Dot shrinks to nothing amid founder disputes, will shut down in October
Dot, an AI companion app founded in 2024, announced it will shut down on October 5 after its founders reached an "ideological rift" about the company's direction. The closure highlights the volatile nature of the AI companion market, which has faced intense scrutiny over users developing obsessive relationships with chatbots that have led to suicide, psychiatric commitments, and even murder. What you should know: Dot positioned itself as a "companion" app offering emotional support and flirtation, targeting users seeking digital life partners. The app's founders, Sam Whitmore and former Apple designer Jason Yuan, cited diverging visions as the reason for...
read Sep 8, 2025National conservatives call for “holy war” against AI at NatCon
National conservative speakers at the recent NatCon conference overwhelmingly opposed artificial intelligence development, with some calling for a "holy war" against AI developers. The hostility was so intense that it prompted discussions about unlikely alliances with labor unions to resist technological change, revealing a significant ideological divide within conservative politics on AI policy. What they're saying: The rhetoric against AI was particularly harsh, with speakers attacking both the technology and its creators. Geoffrey Miller, a psychology professor at the University of New Mexico, called AI developers "betrayers of our species, traitors to our nation, apostates to our faith, and threats...
read Sep 8, 2025Miami dating app Ailo uses AI to find matches with 70% compatibility, NYC and LA next
Miami-based dating app Ailo is using artificial intelligence to help users find compatible matches through intentional profile building and compatibility thresholds. The app requires at least 70% compatibility before showing potential matches, addressing widespread dating app fatigue as younger generations increasingly abandon traditional swiping platforms. How it works: Ailo uses AI to create authentic profiles based on a comprehensive assessment rooted in relationship expertise. Users complete an initial assessment crafted with "two decades of relationship expertise," according to founder Haleh Gianni, a professional matchmaker. The AI analyzes compatibility across categories including magnetism, attraction, shared thoughts, experiences, and lifestyle preferences. Users...
read Sep 5, 2025The Anti-Amodei: Palantir CEO launches $1B AI campaign against job displacement fears
Palantir CEO Alex Karp is pushing back against widespread fears that artificial intelligence will eliminate American manufacturing and skilled labor jobs, calling such concerns "not true" and launching a campaign to change public perception. His comments come as unemployment figures climb and debates intensify over AI's role in job displacement, positioning Palantir, a data analytics software company, to both defend its commercial interests and shape broader AI adoption narratives. What they're saying: Karp argues that AI will enhance rather than replace skilled workers, criticizing Silicon Valley's messaging on the topic. "It's not true, and in fact, it's kind of the...
read Sep 5, 2025Following Roe v. Wade protest, activist conducts hunger strike outside Anthropic HQ
Activist Guido Reichstadter is on day three of a hunger strike outside Anthropic's San Francisco headquarters, demanding the AI company halt its development efforts. The protest reflects growing grassroots opposition to artificial general intelligence (AGI) development, with activists arguing that the current AI race poses existential risks to society and threatens to eliminate human employment on a massive scale. What you should know: Reichstadter is protesting as part of the activist group StopAI, calling on Anthropic to "immediately stop their reckless actions which are harming our society." He posted his statement on LessWrong, a forum founded by AI critic Eliezer...
read Sep 4, 2025Curiously, senior developers embrace AI coding tools more than juniors
A new survey by cloud services platform Fastly reveals that senior developers are embracing AI coding tools more enthusiastically than their junior counterparts, with over 70% reporting that AI makes programming significantly more enjoyable. The findings challenge assumptions about generational tech adoption, showing experienced programmers are leading the charge in AI-assisted development while maintaining critical oversight of machine-generated code. What you should know: Senior developers with over ten years of experience are using AI tools strategically to enhance productivity while leveraging their expertise to catch potential flaws. About one-third of senior developers now produce more than half their finished work...
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