Some workers, students, and creators are resisting the use of AI, valuing work that is untouched by it. Concerns include AI's impact on critical thinking and technical reliability. Despite skepticism, many people still use AI tools like ChatGPT and AI technology is common in work and learning environments.
Key Facts
Some people prefer work done without AI due to concerns about AI's reliability and environmental impact.
49% of Gen Z surveyed are worried AI will harm their critical thinking skills.
41% of Gen Z feel anxious about using generative AI tools.
Some programmers in Silicon Valley resist AI tools, fearing job loss and technical issues.
Creatives, such as artists and writers, have expressed dissatisfaction with AI-produced work.
Despite resistance, more than one-third of college students regularly use ChatGPT.
40% of U.S. workers have used AI at work at least a few times a year.
AI is widely integrated into current learning and work processes, making complete avoidance challenging.
Online trends are moving towards valuing intelligence as the new popular look. Social media is seeing a rise in people showcasing books and intellectual activities, while reading rates are declining and concerns about generative AI's impact on intelligence are growing.
Key Facts
The Instagram account @hotdudesreading is popular, with over a million followers.
Social media users are increasingly showcasing intelligence, using books as fashion accessories.
Searches for terms like "performative reading" have increased significantly.
Popular fashion events are featuring clothes that suggest intelligence and professional power.
Literacy rates in the U.S. have dropped by around 40% from 2003 to 2023.
Concerns are rising about generative AI harming critical thinking skills.
Studies suggest less reading for pleasure and more reliance on AI technologies.
The video game studio Build a Rocket Boy, led by Leslie Benzies, faced challenges after releasing their first game, MindsEye, which was poorly received. Benzies, who previously worked on the successful Grand Theft Auto series, blamed both internal and external forces for the game's failure. Employees at the studio, however, attributed the problems to mismanagement and frequent, unconsulted changes by leadership.
Key Facts
Build a Rocket Boy released a sci-fi game called MindsEye that received negative feedback from players and critics.
Leslie Benzies, the studio's boss, accused "internal and external" agents of sabotaging the game's release.
Employees, who were previously informed of potential job cuts, doubted Benzies's claims and pointed to leadership issues as the cause for failure.
Benzies is known for his key role at Rockstar Games, especially in the development of the Grand Theft Auto series.
The studio, founded by Benzies in 2016, has offices in multiple cities and had 448 employees by 2024.
Build a Rocket Boy received over £233 million in investments but also reported significant financial losses.
Former employees criticized studio management for making sudden, unconsulted decisions.
An open letter by employees claims leadership frequently ignored feedback from their experienced team.
A document leak has revealed that China is exporting its internet censorship tools, known as the "Great Firewall," to other countries. These countries include Myanmar, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Ethiopia.
Key Facts
China uses the "Great Firewall" to control internet access and censor online content within its borders.
A leak of documents indicated that a Chinese company is helping other countries implement similar internet censorship tools.
Countries mentioned in the leak include Myanmar, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Ethiopia.
The exported tools are used to limit access to certain foreign websites and information.
WIRED senior writer Zeyi Yang discussed these findings in an interview with Ali Rogin.
The export of such tools raises concerns about increasing internet control and censorship in these countries.
Dr. Tom Frieden, who was a leader at the CDC and helped handle health crises, has written a new book called “The Formula for Better Health.” In this book, he discusses how to address health problems more effectively. The goal is to bridge the gap between knowing about health issues and taking action to fix them.
Key Facts
Dr. Tom Frieden has a history of working on public health issues.
He was New York City’s health commissioner during a tuberculosis outbreak.
Frieden served as the CDC director during the Ebola crisis.
His book is titled “The Formula for Better Health.”
The book focuses on turning knowledge about health issues into real solutions.
Ali Rogin conducted an interview with Dr. Frieden about his book.
Consumer Reports released a study on Oct. 14, 2025, showing that many protein powders and drinks contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals. The study found that 16 out of 23 products tested had lead levels exceeding what Consumer Reports considers safe.
Key Facts
Protein powder and drink sales globally reached over $32 billion from 2024 to 2025.
Consumer Reports tested 23 protein products for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
The study found that 16 products exceeded the safe lead level of 0.5 micrograms per serving set by Consumer Reports.
Four products had lead levels surpassing the FDA's safe limit for children (2.2 micrograms per day).
Two products tested had lead amounts near the FDA’s limit for pregnant women.
Some products also exceeded safe amounts of cadmium and arsenic per serving.
The safety levels set by Consumer Reports are stricter than those of the FDA.
Atari has created a new version of the Intellivision console called the Intellivision Sprint, which is a modern update of the 1979 gaming system. The console is available for pre-order at $149.99 and will ship in December, featuring 45 built-in games and using an HDMI connection for easy setup.
Key Facts
Atari partnered with games company Plaion to develop the Intellivision Sprint.
The console is a plug-and-play unit, designed to connect easily to modern TVs.
It features a gold-and-black design with a wood-effect strip, reminiscent of the original Intellivision look.
The system includes two wireless controllers that resemble the original design with rotary dials and numeric keypads.
The Intellivision Sprint has 45 pre-installed games, including notable titles like Boulder Dash and Astrosmash.
The console connects via a single HDMI cable, simplifying setup compared to older systems.
USB-A ports on the console allow for additional games and original Intellivision controller compatibility.
Some parents are choosing cargo bikes instead of minivans as a more environmentally friendly option. The popularity of cargo bikes has increased with the introduction of electric bike motors.
Key Facts
Cargo bikes are becoming popular among parents as an alternative to minivans.
These bikes have been available for many years.
The addition of electric motors to cargo bikes has increased their popularity.
Electric bike motors help make riding cargo bikes easier and more practical.
This trend is partly due to an interest in more eco-friendly transportation options.
The information was shared on Weekend Edition Saturday.
A U.S. judge has stopped the Israeli company NSO Group from using its spyware on WhatsApp users, reducing a previous damages award from $168 million to $4 million. The court found that NSO's software caused harm by invading users' privacy. The decision follows a lawsuit by Meta, WhatsApp's owner, against NSO for targeting people like journalists and activists.
Key Facts
A U.S. court issued an order to stop NSO Group from using its spyware on WhatsApp.
NSO's spyware, called Pegasus, can secretly infiltrate smartphones.
The court reduced a previous damages award against NSO from $168 million to $4 million.
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, sued NSO in 2019 for allegedly targeting its users.
Judge Phyllis Hamilton noted that NSO used advanced tactics to install its spyware without detection.
NSO claims it sells its spyware only to government agencies for law enforcement.
The judge did not extend the ban to other Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram without additional evidence.
A blood test developed by the company Grail can detect over 50 types of cancer by identifying bits of DNA from tumors in the blood. A study in North America showed that the test could find early-stage cancers, potentially improving treatment success. The test detected cancers that typically don't have routine screenings, but more research is necessary to confirm its impact on reducing cancer deaths.
Key Facts
The Galleri blood test can look for more than 50 types of cancer.
In a trial involving 25,000 adults in the U.S. and Canada, the test detected cancer in participants with a high degree of accuracy.
It detected early-stage cancers, which are easier to treat.
Three-quarters of the cancers detected do not have existing screening programs, such as ovarian and liver cancer.
The test accurately identified where the cancer started in 90% of cases.
Results from a larger trial with 140,000 NHS patients in England are expected next year.
Experts emphasize the need for more research to see if the test helps reduce cancer deaths.
The NHS plans to expand the test if upcoming results are positive.
A new political attack ad from the National Republican Senatorial Committee uses artificial intelligence to create a fake video of Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The video shows an AI-generated Schumer repeating words he actually said about a government shutdown. This use of technology in politics has raised concerns about the future of AI deepfake videos in campaign ads.
Key Facts
The attack ad was released by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The video features an AI-generated version of Senator Chuck Schumer.
Schumer appears to say "Every day gets better for us," which he did say, but not in video form.
The video has a watermark and disclaimer indicating it is AI-generated.
YouTube labeled the video as "Altered or synthetic content."
Experts and journalists raised concerns about using AI to create fake videos in politics.
The ad is part of a larger trend of using AI in political campaigning.
Financial markets are facing issues with misinformation spread by artificial intelligence (AI). AI tools are being used to manipulate stock prices, which can harm investors.
Key Facts
AI is involved in spreading false information in financial markets.
Market manipulation means influencing stock prices unfairly to make money.
This issue is not new, but AI use adds a new twist.
The manipulation does not involve humans directly; it involves technology.
Such activities can negatively impact unsuspecting investors.
OpenAI stopped users from making videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on its Sora app after complaints about disrespectful depictions. The Sora app uses AI to create realistic deepfake videos, which led to concerns from families of public figures and legal issues related to unauthorized use of likenesses. OpenAI is working on improving controls to prevent misuse of the app.
Key Facts
OpenAI’s Sora app allows users to make deepfake videos of historical figures.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s estate complained about disrespectful videos made on the app.
OpenAI and King’s estate issued a statement to block these AI videos.
The Sora app lets users create videos by recording themselves, but it initially allowed videos of public figures without consent.
Many families of deceased public figures, like Robin Williams and others, criticized the app for not respecting rights of publicity.
In California, rights to a person’s likeness are controlled by their heirs for 70 years after their death.
OpenAI changed the app to allow rights holders to opt-in for their likeness to be used.
A man was arrested at Wikipedia’s annual conference in New York City after bringing a loaded gun and threatening to hurt himself. The situation caused an active shooter alert, but police quickly took the man into custody without any shots being fired.
Key Facts
A man brought a loaded revolver to a Wikipedia conference in Manhattan.
The incident happened at Civic Hall, a tech hub in Zero Irving.
He threatened to harm himself, which led to a brief active shooter alert.
Event staff quickly intervened to manage the situation.
Police arrested the man without any further issues.
No one was injured, and no shots were fired during the incident.
OpenAI has paused its AI app, Sora, from creating deepfake videos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after a request from his estate. The app, which makes realistic AI-generated videos, has led to concerns about disrespectful portrayals of historical figures. OpenAI plans to improve its safety measures for using such images.
Key Facts
OpenAI stopped using Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s image in deepfake videos after the family requested it.
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos that create realistic but fake scenarios.
The videos have often shown historical figures in offensive or altered situations.
OpenAI said it will strengthen guidelines for using images of historical figures.
The app Sora is still used for making videos of other figures.
Concerns have been raised about the potential spread of misinformation through deepfakes.
Families or representatives of figures can request not to have their images used in the app.
OpenAI is working on better safety features to prevent misuse of its technology.
A video of a cat named Grendel enjoying nose scratches went viral on Reddit, attracting many amused comments. Scientists have discovered that cats can purr due to special pads in their vocal cords, allowing them to produce sounds without constant brain signals.
Key Facts
Grendel, a 6-year-old cat, became popular online after a video showed him purring loudly when scratched on the nose.
The Reddit video received over 47,000 upvotes in two days and sparked around 500 comments.
Purring in cats involves special fatty tissue in their vocal cords, according to a 2023 study.
These vocal cord pads let cats create low-frequency vibrations typical of larger animals.
Researchers found cats can purr by simply having warm air pass through their larynxes.
Cats’ enjoyment of petting varies, influenced by early social experiences.
Positive touch can feel good to cats due to their sensitive nerve endings.
ASUS released the ROG Xbox Ally X, a new handheld gaming device, which quickly sold out despite some negative views on Microsoft's changes in gaming strategy. The Xbox Ally X costs $999 and functions more like a small laptop with game controls. Users can play downloaded games directly, but some games need streaming from another Xbox console.
Key Facts
ASUS released the ROG Xbox Ally X, a handheld gaming device, on a Thursday.
The Xbox Ally X sold out quickly after its launch.
The device costs $999 and is an alternative to the Steam Deck.
It is marketed as part of Xbox's broader strategy, which involves a shift away from just selling consoles.
Users can play some games directly on the device, but others require streaming from an Xbox console.
Microsoft increased the price of its Xbox Game Pass, affecting customer sentiment.
The Xbox Ally X is larger and heavier compared to other handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2.
Starbucks is making big changes to how people order coffee, using artificial intelligence (AI) to make the process smoother. CEO Brian Niccol revealed plans for new tech tools that help both staff and customers, including an AI assistant to aid baristas and improve order timing. These efforts are part of a $1 billion plan to update Starbucks' operations and customer experience.
Key Facts
Starbucks is introducing AI technology to change how coffee is ordered and prepared across its stores.
CEO Brian Niccol announced these changes at a tech conference in San Francisco.
The AI tools include a "green dot" assistant to help baristas and a system to streamline order processing.
Starbucks aims to have drinks ready in four minutes or less using new tech and operational models.
The company is simplifying its menu and closing underperforming U.S. stores as part of a broader restructuring plan.
New digital displays will keep customers updated on their order status.
Starbucks' AI advancements will tailor the app to predict orders based on customer location and past habits.
OpenAI has paused using its AI tool, Sora, to make videos of Martin Luther King Jr. after people shared offensive deepfake videos online. The company is working to improve safeguards to prevent misuse of AI-generated content involving historical figures.
Key Facts
OpenAI temporarily stopped using Sora to create videos of Martin Luther King Jr.
The decision followed criticism over offensive AI-generated videos shared on social media.
Sora can make very realistic videos using text prompts or images.
The tool requires consent from living people to feature in videos, but not for deceased public figures.
Videos featuring offensive content were widely condemned and sparked calls for more controls.
Families of public figures, like Malcolm X and Robin Williams, expressed distress over AI depictions.
OpenAI is enhancing its rules for using historical figures' likenesses in these videos.
Clarice Jensen, an experimental cellist, released a new album named *In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness*. The album draws inspiration from Bach's Cello Suites and combines acoustic cello sounds with electronic elements, creating new and unique music.
Key Facts
Clarice Jensen is a cellist and composer known for experimenting with her instrument.
Her new album is titled *In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness*.
Jensen's album takes inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach's solo Cello Suites.
While she usually uses electronics extensively, this album focuses more on the traditional acoustic cello?
Electronics like looping pedals, delays, and octave shifters are still used for some pieces in the album.
Her music on this album offers a mix of ambient sounds and classical inspirations.
Jensen played music from this album while on tour with the band My Chemical Romance.
The album features a piece called *From a to b* that was well received during live performances.
