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☆ Opinion | Loneliness Is a Problem That A.I. Won’t Solve
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Jessica Grose | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

One day it will be better than a real [girlfriend]. One day, the real one will be the inferior choice.” The article goes on to breathlessly outline use cases for “A.I. companions,” suggesting that some future iteration of chatbots could stand in for mental health professionals, relationship coaches or chatty co-workers. This week, OpenAI released an update to its ChatGPT chatbot, an indication that the inhuman future foretold by the Andreessen Horowitz story is fast approaching. While some observers, including the Times Opinion contributing writer Julia Angwin, who called ChatGPT’s recent update “rather routine,” weren’t particularly impressed, there’s been plenty of hype about the potential for humanlike chatbots to ameliorate emotional challenges, particularly loneliness and social isolation.

Persons: Andreessen Horowitz, A.I, OpenAI, Horowitz, ”, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Angwin, weren’t, there’s Organizations: The Washington Post, omni

☆ Longevity hacks are the latest luxury apartment perk
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Luxury buildings in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York are now offering IV drips to tenants. AdvertisementLuxury residential buildings are now equipped with more than just hi-fi fitness centers, outdoor movie theaters, and dog spas — they're offering longevity hacks, too. A growing number of high-end buildings in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York are offering IV drips to tenants, according to The New York Times. The luxury condominium unit One Manhattan Square offers five different IV drip formulas that range from $300 to $350. The Park — a luxury apartment building in Los Angeles where units can go for as much as $38,000 a month — has been offering IV treatments since 2023.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, The New York Times, Manhattan Square, Business Locations: Los Angeles, Miami, New York

☆ Khon in Bangkok: Inside Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, passionate performers keep a masked art form alive
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But one of the best places to experience an authentic Khon performance is Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. Among the performers tasked with playing that role at Sala Chalermkrung is 34-year-old Thanet Pakwisath, who has been practicing Khon for more than 20 years. “And I believe that other performers here at Sala Chalermkrung would have the same belief.”But like many of his colleagues, he fears for its fate. I want everyone to help – both Thai people and foreigners.”Sala Chalermkrung: A living museumBangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater has its own fascinating back story. But from the late 1970s, visitors to Sala Chalermkrung began to decline.

Persons: Ling ”, Khon, Sala, Apassara, khon, Karla Cripps, Hanuman, “, ”, “ Khon, Hanuman Thanet, Sala Charlermkrung, Mark Phillips, ” Sala, King Prajadhipok, Sala Chalermkrung Organizations: CNN, Bangkok CNN, Suvarnabhumi International, Heritage, Chalermkrung, Khon, Royal, Sala Chalermkrung, Sala Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Khon, Thai, Sala, –, Sala Chalermkrung, Thanet, “, Charoenkrung, Phra Nakhon District

☆ Yemen's Houthi rebels are menacing ships on the high seas
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewHouthi militants showed in late April that they can expand their war on international shipping far beyond the Red Sea. AdvertisementHe noted that the Shehab's reported range of 990 miles puts it "well within range" of international shipping. The British-registered cargo ship 'Rubymar' sank in March after it was targeted by Yemen's Houthi forces in the Red Sea. "Once they enter the Red Sea, though, ships can be tracked by spotters ashore or on boats or using mobile Houthi radars ashore. "Nevertheless, with the rate of Houthi advances, and increases in speed, control, and maneuverability in-transit, international shipping could soon prove vulnerable."

Persons: —, Good Hope, Bryan Clark, James Patton Rogers, Rogers, Samad, Yemen's, Mohammed Hamoud, Clark Organizations: Service, MSC Orion, Business, Hudson Institute, Cornell Tech Policy Institute, US, EU, AIS, Orion, Ships Locations: of Africa, Africa's, Good, Red, Ukraine, Israel

☆ The best looks from the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launch party took place on Thursday night. The models and A-list stars who appeared in the issue wore eye-catching looks to the party. AdvertisementThe 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has officially hit newsstands. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has historically garnered millions, earning its then-owner Time Inc. $35 million in just ad revenue in 2005, according to Forbes. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks Organizations: Service, Time Inc, Forbes, Business

☆ D1 Capital hikes its bet on this entertainment stock by more than 400%, shifts Big Tech holdings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Dan Sundheim's D1 Capital Partners raised its stake by more than 400% in a live entertainment stock during the first quarter, while reallocating funds across major technology winners. Keeping with the entertainment theme, Sundheim also opened a fresh $151 million position in music streamer Spotify Technology . Meta was the firm's fourth-largest position, totaling $382 million at the end of the period, despite a 37% cut. The hedge fund amassed a fresh $218 million stake in Pfizer during the period, making it the firm's 10 largest holding. D1 Capital also opened a position in UnitedHealth , while trimming Elevance Health and diabetes and medical device maker Insulet .

Persons: Dan Sundheim's, Sundheim, Meta, Philip Morris Organizations: Capital Partners, Entertainment, Spotify, Big Tech, Microsoft, Meta, Philip Morris International, Pfizer, D1, GE Vernova, Royal, Mastercard, Visa Locations: UnitedHealth, Royal Caribbean

☆ Colleges started ending academic years earlier in the 1970s to avoid 'protest weather'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

One expert said colleges end the year earlier in the Spring now in part to avoid "protest weather." download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have erupted at universities across the country in recent weeks, prompting harsh responses from some college administrators. The University of Southern California and Columbia University, most notably, called in the police to clear protest camps. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, The University of Southern, Columbia University, Police, Business Locations: Vietnam, The University of Southern California, California, Irvine

☆ TikTok is testing 60-minute videos, which could be a big threat to YouTube
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

TikTok is testing 60-minute video uploads, challenging YouTube's long-form content domain. TikTok has gradually increased its video length limits to 10 minutes for all users. Longer video uploads may shift viewership from streaming services like YouTube. AdvertisementTikTok is giving some users the option to upload 60-minute videos to the platform. The company told TechCrunch it does not immediately plan to roll out the 60-minute upload function widely.

Persons: TikTok, —, Matt Navarra Organizations: YouTube, Service, TechCrunch, Business

☆ Chinese shoppers are buying less than they used to, and it's contributing to a lopsided economic recovery
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

China's economy shows uneven recovery; industrial output rises, but retail sales slow. Factory activity beat expectations, but consumers are holding back, impacting retail sales growth. AdvertisementOn Friday, China released data showing an uneven economic recovery that's keeping consumers from spending. Factory activity cracked up, with industrial output rising 6.7% in April from a year ago, beating the 5.5% growth that analysts polled by Reuters had expected. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Reuters, Business Locations: China

☆ Microsoft's Mistral partnership avoids merger probe by British regulators
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority cleared Microsoft's AI partnership with Mistral of regulatory concerns after previously inviting views on whether the arrangement qualified as a merger. Now, the regulator says it's no longer looking into Microsoft's investment in Mistral. It has given no update on its inquiries into the Amazon-Inflection deal and into Microsoft's hiring of employees from Inflection. Microsoft previously denied its deals with OpenAI and Mistral and hiring of employees from Inflection constituted mergers. Amazon has also said that its partnership with Anthropic represents a limited corporate investment, not a merger.

Persons: OpenAI Organizations: Markets, Mistral, CMA, Enterprise, CNBC, Microsoft, U.S, Anthropic Locations: French, U.S, Mistral

☆ Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is about to fly people to space for the first time in 2 years. Here's why it took so long.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewJeff Bezos' private space company, Blue Origin, recently announced its plans to launch a crew of six aboard its New Shepard rocket this Sunday. Still, late last year, Jeff Bezos told Lex Fridman on Fridman's podcast that "Blue Origin needs to be much faster." About one minute into the flight, Blue Origin lost the first-stage booster due to a faulty nozzle in the booster's engine. Blue OriginVirgin Galactic and Blue Origin are both in the suborbital space tourism business. Bezos says Blue Origin's culture isn't fast enoughJeff Bezos founded Blue Origin in 2000.

Persons: —, Jeff Bezos, Sara Sabry, Lex Fridman, Shepard, New Shepard, That's, ULA, Ted S, Warren, Bezos, Fridman Organizations: Service, Shepard, Business, Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Origin, Federal Aviation Administration, Italian Air Force, Virgin, Glenn, United Launch Alliance, Rocket, NASA, US Space Force, AP Locations: Texas, New, Glenn, ULA

☆ We're desperate for Kanthony to return to 'Bridgerton,' too. Here are the clues that suggest they will.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Kate and Anthony are absent for most of "Bridgerton" season three, part one, despite being the center of season two. Here's why we think Kanthony will return in future episodes. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementWarning: This article contains minor spoilers for "Bridgerton" season three, part one, and the novel "The Viscount Who Loved Me." This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Kate, Anthony, —, Anthony's, Simone Ashley, Anthony Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Some A.I. Companies Face a New Accusation: ‘Open Washing’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sarah Kessler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration is investigating the risks and benefits of open source models. Proponents of open source A.I. models say they’re more equitable and safer for society, while detractors say they are more likely to be abused for malicious intent. There’s no agreed-upon definition of what open source A.I. companies of “openwashing” — using the “open source” term disingenuously to make themselves look good.

Persons: Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Biden, There’s, A.I, Alek Tarkowski, ’, ” Organizations: Linux Foundation Locations: European

☆ AI is leading to the 'revenge of the liberal arts,' says a Goldman tech exec with a history degree
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Goldman's George Lee said AI will empower non-technical workers, including those in risk management. The history major turned tech banker said AI enhances skills like critical thinking, creativity, and logic. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementA longtime tech banker with a history degree says AI could be a boon for non-technical workers. George Lee, the co-head of applied innovation at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday that he thinks AI will lead to the "revenge of the liberal arts" in the workforce.

Persons: Goldman's George Lee, Banks, —, George Lee, Goldman Sachs, Lee Organizations: Service, Bloomberg Television, Business

☆ Crosby Health is building a clinical LLM to automate insurance appeals. Here's an exclusive look at the pitch deck the AI startup used to raise $2.2 million.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Crosby Health just raised $2.2 million in seed funding led by Amplo Ventures. The startup is building a large language model to help providers track insurance appeals. We got an exclusive look at the eight-slide pitch deck the startup used to raise its seed round. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Crosby Health, an AI startup building a clinical, large language model to help healthcare providers track insurance appeals, recently announced it raised $2.2 million in seed funding led by Amplo Ventures.

Persons: Crosby, — Organizations: Crosby Health, Amplo Ventures, Service, —, NOMO Ventures, Business

☆ Elite investor Ray Dalio says risk of US civil war is up to 40% — and thinks Taylor Swift could be a good president
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ray Dalio sees up to a 40% chance that political division in the US escalates into civil war. The hedge fund billionaire has repeatedly warned about US debt and internal and external conflicts. Dalio half-jokingly endorsed Taylor Swift for president, citing her ability to unite people. AdvertisementRay Dalio warned the probability of a US civil war is as high as 40% — and said he might back Taylor Swift if she ran for president. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Ray Dalio, Taylor Swift, — Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Bridgewater Associates, Business

☆ Big Tech's spending on the AI race could surpass $1 trillion in the next five years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Ellen Thomas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Big Tech is expected to spend $200 billion on assets like equipment in 2024, a Bernstein note said. At that rate, Big Tech's spending on capex could surpass $1 trillion in four to five years. AdvertisementBig Tech is spending big on the AI arms race. In the next five years, spending by Big Tech on fixed assets — also known as capital expenditures, or capex — could surpass $1 trillion, Bernstein analysts said. The majority of Big Tech's capital expenditures go toward technical infrastructure such as land, data centers, servers, and networking equipment.

Persons: Bernstein, — Organizations: Big Tech, Service, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Big, Business

☆ Walmart is finding its groove — and that should terrify Target
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Walmart keeps posting strong earnings, driven in part by gains among higher-income shoppers. Bit by bit, Walmart is looking more like Target, and that should terrify the smaller rival. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The Bentonville retailer on Thursday reported a solid 6% year-over-year improvement in first-quarter sales, with profits growing even faster.

Persons: —, Doug McMillon Organizations: Walmart, Service, Business Locations: Bentonville

☆ Hannah Dodd lost out on the buzziest role on season 1 of 'Bridgerton.' Three seasons later, she ended up on the show anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Hannah Dodd joins season three of "Bridgerton" as Francesca Bridgerton, previously played by Ruby Stokes. Dodd told Business Insider that she auditioned to play Daphne Bridgerton on season one. AdvertisementFor "Bridgerton" star Hannah Dodd, it was only a matter of time before she ended up on the hit Regency-era drama. Dodd makes her debut as Francesca Bridgerton (formerly played by Ruby Stokes) on season three of "Bridgerton," released on Thursday. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Hannah Dodd, Francesca Bridgerton, Ruby Stokes, Dodd, Daphne Bridgerton, — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ I prompted AI to summarize Google's 45-page book about how to write the best AI prompts. Here are the key takeaways.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Google handed out free guides on how to write successful AI prompts for Gemini at Google I/O. The booklet covers best practices for Google Workspace and gives examples for various professions. Some tips include drafting 21-word prompts that include persona, task, context, and format. AdvertisementGoogle handed out booklets about how to write successful AI prompts at its big summer developer conference, Google I/O. The guide breaks down how to best write AI prompts for Gemini for the company's Google Workspace apps, which include Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Meet, and Google Slides.

Persons: — Organizations: Google, Gemini, Service, Gmail, Business

☆ World's #1 golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested outside major tournament hours before tee time
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Reports say Scottie Scheffler tried to drive around police into the golf station. He was handcuffed and booked in jail, hours before tee-time. AdvertisementScottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, was arrested by police and booked in a Louisville jail early Friday morning, hours before tee time at a major tournament. Kentucky jail records show Scheffler, 27, was ultimately released from custody just before the second round kicks off at the PGA Championship. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Scottie Scheffler, —, Scheffler Organizations: Service, Kentucky, PGA, Business Locations: Louisville

☆ Elon Musk says Neuralink is looking for a 2nd participant for its brain implant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Elon Musk said Neuralink is accepting applications for the second person to get a brain implant. Neuralink reportedly wants to have thousands of people using its device by the end of the decade. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . He said that the brain implant startup wa now searching for the second person to receive Neuralink's "Telepathy" implant, after the device was successfully implanted into its first patient earlier this year. This is our Telepathy cybernetic brain implant that allows you to control your phone and computer just by thinking," Musk posted on X.

Persons: Elon Musk, Neuralink, Noland Arbaugh, —, Elon, Musk Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Critical Role's 3rd campaign is drenched in nostalgia and shows why Amazon is smart to bet on it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Critical Role is serving up peak nostalgia in its third D&D campaign. AdvertisementWarning: Spoilers ahead for "Critical Role" campaign 3, episode 95. There's nothing quite like the face of a beloved character to rally a fandom in full force. Now multiply that threefold, and you'll get the feeling of Thursday night's episode of "Critical Role" — nerdy nostalgia at its finest. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: it's, —, you'll, Essek Thelyss Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Apple could release a major redesign of the iPhone next year that's super-slim, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Reports of a slim iPhone arriving in late 2025 are emerging. An analyst's note and a report from The Information suggest an "iPhone 17 Slim" is in the works. Apple launched its thinnest iPad last week, while the iPhone 16 is expected to launch in September. The Information reported Friday that five people knowledgeable about the project said a thinner iPhone could debut alongside the iPhone 17 in September 2025. The project, internally called D23, is said to be a "major redesign" that will cost more than the iPhone Pro Max, which is priced at $1,200, The Information reported.

Persons: — Organizations: Apple, Service, Business

☆ The newest weight-loss hack has people turning to a highly addictive drug
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're looking at how Zyn nicotine pouches are becoming the new weight-loss quick fix . A new weight-loss quick fix is making the rounds just in time for summer's unofficial start (Memorial Day), but this one relies on a highly addictive drug. However, one doctor Hilary spoke to has concerns about the effects of using nicotine to lose weight. Wilson, Amazon, Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers/Getty, Creative Crop/Getty, Tyler Le/BIOf course, you don't have to rely on a highly addictive drug to lose weight. Disney CEO Bob Iger said he's giving too much money to the Big Tech app stores that distribute Disney-owned streamers like Hulu and Disney+.

Persons: —, Michael M, Rebecca Zisser, Hilary Brueck, Mia de Graaf, Hilary, they're, They're, Wilson, Tyler Le, I'm, BI's Jordan Hart, padel, Gabby Landsverk, Jamie Dimon Jamie Dimon, Jerome Powell, Bob Iger, Bernstein, Rouco, Zers, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, HBO, Business, Getty, bros, Albany Times Union, Hearst Newspapers, Creative, CNBC, JPMorgan, GameStop, Disney, Big Tech, Hulu, Google, Big, Microsoft, Wall Street, Citi Locations: Amazon, China, Ireland, Australia, millennials, New York, London

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