The U.S. economy is growing with high spending on artificial intelligence (AI), but some big companies are not hiring as AI takes over many jobs. Companies like Amazon plan to cut jobs, especially in corporate roles, where AI can do the work instead. Businesses are keeping their workforce the same size, as AI allows them to be more productive without adding more people.
Key Facts
The U.S economy is expanding due to heavy investment in AI technology.
AI is replacing many white-collar jobs, reducing the need for companies to hire.
Amazon is set to cut up to 30,000 jobs, mainly in corporate roles.
Other companies like Target and Paramount Skydance are also reducing corporate positions.
Major employers such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Walmart plan to maintain current workforce levels.
JPMorgan's CFO has expressed reluctance to hire quickly for new roles.
CEOs believe AI enables productivity without increasing headcount.
Job listings are declining, showing a tight labor market without many new hires.
Google Maps has added over 5,900 miles of off-road trails to its Street View feature. These trails span from Oregon to North Carolina and were mapped with the help of Ford vehicles. The project makes these trails more accessible to people of all skill levels.
Key Facts
Google Maps Street View now includes the TransAmerica Trail, over 5,900 miles long.
The trail stretches across 13 U.S. states, from Oregon to North Carolina.
Ford provided vehicles, including a Bronco SUV, to help map the trail.
The mapping took 32 days and featured various landscapes, including Utah's Moab and Ophir Pass in Colorado.
The project aims to make off-road trails accessible to everyone.
Ford has a history of supporting off-road adventures with its Bronco vehicles.
The Bronco Wild Fund, connected to vehicle sales, supports conservation efforts like Tread Lightly.
A study by American University's Sine Institute found that young Americans who regularly use AI tools feel more positive about their career prospects compared to those who don't use AI. Despite this optimism, many young people, including AI users, still see AI as a career threat. The study also highlights a divide in how men and women perceive AI's impact on their careers.
Key Facts
Young AI users are more hopeful about their job prospects compared to those who have not used AI.
44% of regular AI users are worried AI might limit future job opportunities, while this concern rises to 71% among non-users.
The study surveyed 1,214 Americans aged 18 to 34 in September 2025.
55% of young people view AI as a career threat, regardless of their experience with it.
Only 21% of young people feel more positive than anxious about AI.
30% of young men believe AI could help with career advancement, compared to 13% of young women.
72% think AI education is important for their future, but 78% report that AI literacy isn't widely taught.
Educators are beginning to acknowledge the inevitability of AI use and the need for AI literacy.
Research shows that even when a phone displays the 5G symbol, it often uses a slower 4G connection. Tests found that 40% of the time, 5G symbols appeared, but the real connection was 4G. Some networks are now offering "standalone 5G" for more consistent 5G speeds, but these plans are often more expensive.
Key Facts
Research found that phones show the 5G symbol but often operate on 4G networks.
About 40% of the time, the phone displays 5G, but the connection remains on 4G.
The top 5G download speed can be very fast, but many users experience much slower speeds.
To get true 5G speeds, some networks offer "standalone 5G," which may require a more costly plan.
Mobile expertise recommends users check their phone speed and provider coverage if they suspect poor 5G service.
The study involved 11,000 tests in areas like central London and North Lincolnshire.
Mobile UK, the industry trade body, acknowledges the issue, emphasizing the presence of a 5G signal may not equate to a 5G connection.
Elon Musk's new online encyclopedia, Grokipedia, went live but crashed soon after its launch. The site aims to compete with Wikipedia and offers a similar layout but with content influenced by Musk's views.
Key Facts
Grokipedia is an online encyclopedia created by Elon Musk's xAI.
The site is designed to rival Wikipedia and initially crashed when it launched.
Grokipedia became accessible later on its launch day with close to 900,000 articles.
The content has a right-leaning perspective, including Musk's personal views on various topics.
Musk criticized Wikipedia for spreading "propaganda" and started Grokipedia as an alternative.
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales defended Wikipedia's accuracy in response to Musk's criticisms.
A South African company called Spaza Eats, started in 2023 by Talifhani Banks, provides delivery services to townships and rural areas that are not served by other companies. The company has thousands of customers and supports small food sellers by offering a modern delivery platform. Spaza Eats is also using collected data to build a larger marketplace named AnalyticsX.
Key Facts
Spaza Eats is a delivery company founded in 2023 in South Africa.
The founder of Spaza Eats is Talifhani Banks.
The company focuses on serving townships and rural areas.
Spaza Eats helps small food sellers with a modern delivery service.
The company has tens of thousands of customers.
Data from Spaza Eats is used to create a larger marketplace called AnalyticsX.
This information is part of a video series on technology in Africa.
The Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national AI body, faced accusations of misusing public funds and having a "toxic internal culture." However, Chair Dr. Doug Gurr stated these claims were investigated by an external party and found to be without basis. Despite leadership changes and ongoing investigations, Dr. Gurr maintains the organization is now focused on leveraging UK talent and data for projects in defense, environment, and health.
Key Facts
The Alan Turing Institute faced serious accusations in August about misusing funds and internal culture issues.
Whistleblowers believed the organization was at risk of losing £100m in funding.
An independent investigation found no basis for these claims, according to Dr. Doug Gurr.
Several senior leaders have left the Institute recently, including the chief technology officer and chief executive.
The Charity Commission is currently investigating the Turing Institute.
Dr. Gurr stated the organization should focus on key areas like defense, environment, and health projects.
Researchers at the Turing Institute are working on improving weather forecasts and transport emissions.
Whistleblowers at the Institute continue to express dissatisfaction with the current state of the organization.
The article discusses the development and use of robots to assist in social care, particularly for the elderly. In the UK, there is a growing need for care workers, and robots are being considered as a solution to help meet these demands. The use of robots in care settings has been tested in Japan, where they assist with tasks like lifting patients and leading exercise classes.
Key Facts
In England, there are about 131,000 vacant positions for adult care workers.
Approximately two million people aged 65 and over in England have unmet care needs.
By 2050, one in four people in the UK will be 65 or older.
The UK government invested £34 million to develop robots for social care.
In Japan, robots are used in care homes to help with tasks like lifting patients and leading exercise classes.
Three types of robots tested include a lifting aid called HUG, a seal-like robot named Paro for dementia patients, and a humanoid robot named Pepper.
Challenges found include the time spent on cleaning, recharging, and troubleshooting robots.
OpenAI has shared data about ChatGPT, indicating a small percentage of users show signs of mental health issues like psychosis or suicidal thoughts. The company has enlisted experts to create responses that encourage users to seek help. This has raised concerns due to the large number of ChatGPT users globally.
Key Facts
OpenAI reported that about 0.07% of ChatGPT users show signs of mental health problems each week.
ChatGPT has around 800 million active users weekly, which even at low percentages, involves many people.
OpenAI has a global network of over 170 mental health experts advising them.
These experts helped design ChatGPT to encourage users to seek real-world help.
The company updated ChatGPT to respond safely to signs of mental health risks.
OpenAI's data release has led to legal scrutiny, including a lawsuit over a teenager's death.
Critics say AI chatbots can create convincing illusions that affect users' perceptions and mental states.
A song claiming to be from the band Here We Go Magic appeared on streaming sites, but it was made by AI. This is part of a growing problem where AI-generated music is uploaded under the names of inactive or deceased artists to earn money.
Key Facts
The band Here We Go Magic has not released music since 2015.
An AI-created song, "Water Spring Mountain," appeared on the band's streaming profiles.
AI songs mimic inactive or deceased artists to make money with minimal effort.
Spotify has removed similar AI-generated content, deleting 75 million "spammy" tracks recently.
Other artists like Uncle Tupelo and Blaze Foley also had AI music uploaded on their profiles.
Music platforms like Spotify and Tidal are working to improve their systems to combat AI-generated music spam.
Microsoft plans to launch a new Xbox console that runs a full version of Windows. The console will have a TV-friendly interface, allowing access to both Xbox services and Windows applications.
Key Facts
Microsoft is working on a new Xbox console that will use full Windows software.
The console will feature a TV-optimized interface for easy use.
Users will be able to access Xbox/Game Pass, Steam, and other PC libraries.
The design aims to balance flexibility with a simple user experience.
A similar device, the ROG Xbox Ally, already uses an Xbox-style interface and can switch to Windows.
Users will have more options available through cloud integration and local hardware.
Specific details about specifications, pricing, and release timing are not yet available.
The U.S. Department of Energy is partnering with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to build two new supercomputers. These computers will help with scientific advances in areas like nuclear power, cancer treatments, and national security. The first computer, Lux, will be ready soon, while the second, Discovery, is expected in 2028.
Key Facts
The U.S. and AMD formed a $1 billion partnership to build two supercomputers.
The supercomputers will assist in research for nuclear power, cancer treatments, and national security.
The first supercomputer, named Lux, will use AMD's AI chips and is expected to be operational within six months.
The second supercomputer, named Discovery, will use a newer series of AMD AI chips and is planned for 2028.
Lux is co-developed with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Department of Energy and AMD will share computing power, with private industry and DOE labs involved.
AMD's stock prices rose by 0.7% following the announcement.
A new study shows that watching inspiring videos on social media for just three minutes a day can help improve people's mood and lower their stress levels. The findings suggest that short positive content can counteract the negative effects often seen on social media.
Key Facts
The study focuses on how social media affects mental health.
Spending three minutes daily watching positive videos can improve mood.
These videos can also help reduce stress.
Social media often has negative content that affects users negatively.
The study suggests short, positive content can have a beneficial impact.
The findings highlight the potential of using social media in a positive way.
Two law firms are investigating a data breach at Vibra Hospital of Sacramento that exposed personal and health information. The breach involved six employee email accounts and may have affected patient data such as names, Social Security numbers, and medical details. Vibra Hospital has notified impacted individuals and taken steps to secure its systems.
Key Facts
Vibra Hospital of Sacramento experienced a data breach involving six employee email accounts.
The breach happened between March 12 and March 22, 2025, and was confirmed on August 4, 2025.
Exposed information may include patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical details.
The hospital notified individuals potentially affected by the breach on October 3, 2025.
Vibra Hospital reported the incident to the California Attorney General on October 24, 2025.
Law firms Shamis & Gentile, P.A., and Strauss Borrelli PLLC are investigating the breach.
The hospital is working with third-party specialists to enhance security measures.
As of October 3, there was no evidence of misuse of the exposed information, but the hospital advised vigilance.
The White House celebrated an AI image of President Donald Trump dressed as a character from the Halo video game series, marking the so-called end of the "Console Wars." Microsoft announced that its Halo game will now be available on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles. GameStop humorously declared peace in this long-standing console competition.
Key Facts
The White House celebrated the end of the "Console Wars" using an AI-generated image of President Trump.
Microsoft announced a remake of the original Halo game, set to release on both Xbox and PlayStation.
The original Halo game was exclusive to Xbox when it first launched.
GameStop released a statement humorously ending the "Console Wars" and declared itself a "demilitarized zone."
The White House shared the AI image of Trump dressed as Halo’s Master Chief on social media.
The post received more than 23 million views on social media.
The image became controversial due to a U.S. flag shown with 40 stars instead of 50.
Researchers at National Taiwan University have created a serum that regrew hair on mice in 20 days, leading to questions about its potential for treating human baldness. The study highlights how skin irritation can trigger hair regrowth through a process involving fatty acids and white blood cells. However, experts caution that the findings may not directly apply to humans.
Key Facts
The serum developed at National Taiwan University made hair regrow on mice in 20 days.
The research suggests the serum might stimulate human hair growth by activating hair follicle stem cells.
Baldness, especially male baldness, is common in the U.S., with over 42% of men experiencing it.
Common baldness treatments include creams, medications, and hair transplants.
Sodium lauryl sulfate, found in many shampoos, can cause skin irritation that promotes hair regrowth.
Inflammation and macrophages (a type of white blood cell) play roles in the hair growth process after skin injury.
Experts say the study’s results might not have the same effect on human hair due to differences in hair growth phases between humans and mice.
A new TikTok trend called "Beez in the Trap" is becoming popular, involving a remix of two songs. Many celebrities, including Malala Yousafzai and Kylie Jenner, are taking part in the trend, which has already generated over 600,000 videos on the platform.
Key Facts
The "Beez in the Trap" trend involves a remix of two songs: "Beez in the Trap" by Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz, and "What’s Up?" by 4 Non Blondes.
The trend includes a back-to-back performance where one person lip-syncs to "What’s Up?" and another joins to lip-sync to "Beez in the Trap."
More than 600,000 videos have been posted on TikTok featuring the trend.
Videos of celebrities like Malala Yousafzai and Jimmy Fallon participating in the trend have gone viral.
Malala Yousafzai's version with Jimmy Fallon was viewed over 73 million times.
Other celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter, Kylie Jenner, and Joe Jonas have also created videos for the trend.
People have made themed versions of the trend for Halloween, with some videos gaining millions of views.
The trend highlights TikTok’s core feature of simple, social, and easy-to-replicate performances.
President Trump's administration has introduced changes to the H-1B visa program. The revisions include a $100,000 fee for many applications and a new selection process that favors higher-paid positions. These changes aim to reduce program abuse and encourage the hiring of U.S. workers.
Key Facts
The H-1B visa changes include a $100,000 fee for many new applications.
The selection process now gives priority to higher-paid positions.
The changes aim to reduce abuse of the H-1B program.
Some organizations warn these changes could be manipulated by companies.
The new process still uses a lottery system, but it is now weighted by salary.
Critics argue this system could still disadvantage smaller businesses.
Several lawsuits claim the changes exceed legal authority and are arbitrary.
Some groups support the changes, believing they align with economic goals and protect U.S. workers.
A homeowner shared a viral Reddit post about a strange growth in their room, which many users identified as termites. Termites are insects that can cause damage to buildings, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers advice on dealing with them. The post sparked discussion about termite infestations and how best to treat them.
Key Facts
A Reddit user posted about an unusual formation in their home, suspected to be termites.
The post gained 20,000 upvotes and generated significant online discussion.
The EPA identifies subterranean, drywood, and Formosan termites as common in the U.S.
Termites rarely come out in the open, making them hard to detect until damage occurs.
To check for termites, probe wood for hollow spots or look for termite swarms.
The EPA advises ensuring pest control companies are licensed and provide correct pesticide labels.
The time required to re-enter a treated residence varies, so follow professional advice.
Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang is hosting the company's first developers conference in Washington, D.C., underscoring the importance of AI and technology innovation in collaboration with the U.S. government. The event highlights Nvidia's growing relationship with federal agencies and features sessions on AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies. A new task force on AI and the future of work, involving industry and academic leaders, is being announced.
Key Facts
Nvidia is holding its first-ever developers conference in Washington, D.C.
The event is called GTC (GPU Technology Conference) and is usually held in San Jose.
The conference focuses on AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies.
The event includes live demonstrations and more than 70 sessions.
Jensen Huang will deliver a keynote speech discussing AI's transformative impact.
A new Task Force on AI and the Future of Work will be announced at the conference.
The task force will involve industry, academia, and government representatives.
The Task Force will deliver reports in 2026 about AI's impact on jobs and the economy.
