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☆ Amazon looks to adapt Alexa to the rise of ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Limp did not elaborate on how generative AI could be used in Alexa products, but there are clear possibilities. The effort to continue updating the technology that powers Alexa comes at a difficult moment for Amazon. The Amazon Echo Pop lineup AmazonBut generative AI remains a key focus for the company. Amazon is also rumored to be planning to use generative AI to bring conversational language to a home robot. The concept remains a “hard technical challenge,” he said, but one that is “more tractable” with generative AI.

Persons: Alexa, ”, Dave Limp, “ We’ve, Limp, “ We’re, Siri, Cortana, ChatGPT, Star ”, “, ” Limp, Andy Jassy, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Alexa, Big Tech, Amazon, Star, Echo

☆ The No. 1 skill that sets successful introverts apart from most other people: It's 'what helps us thrive'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

There's a common misconception that introverts have to mimic stereotypically extroverted personalities to succeed: Be outspoken, always raise your hand and command a room. "If you know that you prefer smaller settings, you might not want to apply for a job at a large corporation," Allen says. The most daunting part might be opting out of extrovert-friendly situations without bothering anyone else, Allen says. Allen's advice: Come prepared with clear examples of situations you'd like to avoid, how you'd like to contribute instead and why it'll make you both happier and more productive. DON'T MISS: Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life?

☆ Ugly Tale of Migrants Displacing Veterans Makes Waves and Then Dissolves
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Corey Kilgannon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The story seemed tailor-made for opponents of outsiders. “VETS KICKED OUT FOR MIGRANTS,” blared the front page of The New York Post, one of many outlets that last week carried the tale of homeless military veterans’ being expelled from their temporary hotel rooms north of New York City so that people coming from the Mexican border could stay there. The sensational story grew out of claims by a veterans advocacy group and was immediately seized upon by local Republican elected officials. It began unraveling when reporters could not locate any displaced veterans. It fell apart further when managers of the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, N.Y., said they had no record of the veterans’ staying there.

☆ Ron DeSantis: What to expect from his presidential campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Ron DeSantis is expected to make his presidential campaign official next week. WOLF: More than any other Republican, DeSantis has generated national media scrutiny and buzz that he could be the candidate best positioned to challenge Trump. Are he and his advisers concerned that all that attention has not translated to a stronger position in GOP primary polls? CONTORNO: As we previously reported several months ago, DeSantis’ political operation believes he has the money and the name recognition to launch a national campaign out of the gate. CONTORNO: Some of Trump’s top advisers once ran DeSantis’ political operation, and several former Trump operatives and donors are now in DeSantis’ camp, so the sniping is already becoming pronounced.

☆ Uber's AI potential is making it stand out among its peers. Here's what that could mean for its stock.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

All told, there is a nearly $6 trillion in revenue opportunity from AI across the internet industry, a March report from Morgan Stanley found. "UBER/LYFT/DASH already use ML [machine learning] in their matching algorithms (matching rides/eaters with drivers/couriers)," Morgan Stanley wrote in its report. AI tailwind for Uber Uber has both its ride-sharing service and UberEats food delivery business. According to Morgan Stanley, AI and machine learning will be a tailwind to network efficiency. "The extent to which AI drives substantial improvements in top-line growth could lead to teens upside [for the stock]," Morgan Stanley said.

☆ Death of Ownership: Companies Use Software, Subscriptions to Grab Money From Customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Nathan Proctor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

As more devices in our lives run on software, manufacturers have started to exert more control over their products even after the customer has taken them home. In some cases, companies force customers to use their repair services, disabling the product if they try to fix it themselves. Companies are just beginning to monetize this control, with dystopian methods and the assistance of America's unbalanced copyright laws. For companies, the appeal of subscriptions is pretty straightforward: a steady stream of revenue and a lot more money raised from their customers over time. In other cases, companies have tried to block consumers from accessing certain features at all unless they pay up first.

☆ Starbucks is changing its ice cubes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Starbucks is changing its ice cubes. Customers who order cold beverages will now sip on “nugget ice” in their drinks, ice pieces which are smaller than the chain’s current cubes. The nuggets don’t melt any faster, the company said, and the switch to nuggets doesn’t mean customers will get any less ice since baristas are using the same ice scoop. New Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan sees room for improvement in the business, which includes installing new equipment. Starbucks said in a statement that the new ice machines use less water and will be rolling out to all its stores over the next several years.

The most recent innovation has been tamer: People have banged pots whenever the president has appeared. Indeed, France’s labor unions — though representing a smaller share of the work force than elsewhere in Western Europe — have been united in their opposition, making them a redoubtable force. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who leads the left-wing coalition NUPES, has been a central figure in the parliamentary fight against Mr. Macron, nearly bringing down his government with a no-confidence vote in March. And yet it is not France’s left that has benefited from the popular rebellion. In a situation that seems tailor-made for a resurgence of the left, how is it that, for the moment at least, it is not just the right but the far right that has benefited?

☆ The best breakfast foods for boosting mood and energy, according to a registered dietitian
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

There's a reason they call breakfast the most important meal of the day. What you eat for breakfast can make or break how successful your day is going to be, especially if you're reaching for foods that lower your energy. It's important to know that "there is no one size fits all [breakfast]," says Maya Feller, a registered dietitian. But there are ways you can tailor your meals toward what you're hoping to get out of your day. "Breakfast is that first meal of the day for many people.

☆ Joe Biden’s dreadful poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Opinion Geoff Duncan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There’s no other way to slice it: Donald Trump is the clear GOP White House frontrunner for 2024. His reelection is not out of the question, given President Joe Biden’s dreadful showing in recent opinion polls. Geoff Duncan — APThe political world was rocked by the recent Washington Post/ABC News poll pegging Biden’s approval rating at a jaw-dropping 36%, a new low point for his presidency. Even polls that haven’t been quite as dire for Biden, like CNN’s Poll of Polls, showed his average approval at 40%, with 55% disapproving. The 2022 election results proved that the GOP cannot simply rely on Biden’s vulnerabilities while ignoring Trump’s.

☆ DC Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to expand tax breaks for developers turning empty downtown offices into much-needed housing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

DC's mayor has proposed an expansion of tax relief for developers who convert offices into residences. The city has more than 20 million square feet of unused office space — an unprecedented vacancy rate, according to the DowntownDC Business Improvement District's 2021 report. —Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) December 15, 2022The mayor and city officials say the tax relief, called the Housing in Downtown (HID) Abatement, is necessary to incentivize and speed up costly commercial building transformations. "We know that creating new housing in downtown will lead to a more vibrant neighborhood and 24/7 economy. The Housing in Downtown Abatement Program will incentivize more conversions, and bring about more housing affordability and retail opportunities."

Introduction to Visa Signature BenefitsVisa Signature benefits are a premium offering for cardholders seeking more from their credit experience. Always cross reference Visa Signature benefits with your specific cardholder agreement to ensure that a benefit applies to your card. How to Maximize Your Visa Signature BenefitsMaximizing your Visa Signature benefits means understanding how to leverage every feature. FAQsCan Visa Signature benefits vary by card issuer? Furthermore, Visa Signature cards often come with no foreign transaction fees, which means you can make purchases abroad without incurring additional charges.

Persons: Norton, it's Organizations: Chase, Security, Visa Locations: Chevron

☆ In first-of-its-kind drill, US Army special operators train to defend Taiwan against Chinese attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Drew F. Lawrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

At US Army Special Operations Command's annual capabilities exercise, soldiers trained to defend Taiwan. The training was part of the USASOC's annual capabilities exercise, or CAPEX, and the mission they were gaming out was an insertion into Taiwan to defend against a Chinese invasion. So instead of hovering 8,000 miles away in the South China Sea where the island actually is perched, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's Chinooks landed on Range 68 at Fort Bragg. US Army Rangers conduct an air-assault raid during Capabilities Exercise at Fort Bragg on April 20, 2023. Soldiers take part in US Army Special Operations Command's annual Capabilities Exercise in June 2019.

Box customers testing the product have already experienced “revolutionary” productivity gains, Box CEO Aaron Levie told Reuters. He cited a Box customer whose employees were reviewing tens and thousands of files manually. The new AI features were able to do it automatically “within a matter of seconds.”Box partnered with OpenAI, the AI startup backed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) behind the chatbot sensation ChatGPT, to build the AI enhancements. While Box is initially building its AI offering with OpenAI’s technology, the goal is to allow customers to select among different AI providers, he said. Box said the new AI features include the ability to summarize financial documents, surface insights from customer surveys and tailor onboarding documents to a specific customer's needs.

☆ Banking in the metaverse? A.I. could be about to change the way you manage your money
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Users often don't even notice when AI is involved, adds Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. "For example, AI is used by banks to track spending, and automatically alert people when they spend, or reach a specific level in their account. Kimberly Dillon, vice president for brand at AI-powered financial services app Cleo, also believes new money management tools could emerge. Many banks and financial services providers are establishing a presence in the metaverse," she said. Chatbots can often execute basic financial interactions, for example, and AI tools can set off alarm bells around suspected fraud, she explained.

☆ Lawmakers update Kids Online Safety Act to address potential harms, but fail to appease some activists, industry groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Late last year, dozens of civil society groups warned Congress against passing the bill, warning it could further endanger young internet users in different ways. Blumenthal's office said it did not believe the duty of care would have applied to those sorts of groups, but opted to clarify it regardless. Moreover, parental guidance in minors' online lives is critical, but KOSA would mandate surveillance tools without regard to minors' home situations or safety. The bill also faced criticism from several groups that receive funding from the tech industry. "Protecting young people online is a broadly shared goal.

☆ King Charles' coronation is a great fit for London's Savile Row tailors
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Kate Holton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Handmade suits are seen at Anderson & Sheppard tailor on Savile Row, ahead of the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Britain, April 27, 2023. REUTERS/Dylan MartinezLONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - On Savile Row, the London street long celebrated for turning out sharp suits, tailors have been racing to prepare the red and gold uniforms that will feature in Britain's first coronation for 70 years, adorned with the new insignia of King Charles. Savile Row tailors have dressed kings, queens and their offspring for more than 150 years, and their craft gets a particular boost from long-time customer Charles - a lover of the countryside who also champions the farmers, weavers and mills producing much of the fabric. 'SLOWEST FASHION'Henry Poole, credited with creating the dinner jacket, or tuxedo, has held a British royal warrant since the 1860s when it supplied Queen Victoria. "The sustainability side of that is a major part of what Savile Row has always had," he said.

☆ Starbucks’ new CEO lays out improvement plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —During his first earnings call as the new Starbucks CEO, Laxman Narasimhan praised the company for its financial performance. In the quarter ending on April 2, sales at company-operated Starbucks stores open at least 13 months jumped 11% globally, including a 12% increase in North America. Before officially becoming CEO in March, Narasimhan spent about six months shadowing former interim CEO Howard Schultz in an incoming CEO capacity. Since December 2021, about 300 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize and been certified by the NLRB. It’s a relatively small number compared to the roughly 9,300 company-operated Starbucks stores in the United States.

☆ The most drastic measures celebrities have taken to wear daring fashion at the Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Beyoncé had garments tailored and hand-dyed while she rehearsed for a concert on the day of the 2012 Met Gala. Beyoncé attends the 2012 Met Gala. But when she suddenly decided to attend the Met Gala, they changed their plans. If it does, she's going. If not, she's not going,'" Hunter said to the Givenchy team at the time.

Persons: Beyoncé, Larry Busacca, Riccardo Tisci, Ty Hunter, she's, Hunter Organizations: Givenchy, Rit

☆ Our family loved living out of a converted van and bus so much that we started a business so others can share in the joys of #vanlife
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Jake and Gianna Bachowski spent years traveling the country and living on the road with their kids. The couple lived in a van when their oldest child was a baby and a bus when they had their second. As van and bus conversion experts, they help others do the same with their business Our Van Quest. Gianna: Before the van, we'd been trying to figure out how to spend more time together as a family. The Bachowskis' oldest child, Luna, sitting in the van her family lived in while traveling across the country.

Governments were able to tailor their data reporting so it could be aggregated. Pulling the data closest to the outbreaks allowed us to publish nearly real-time information as the pandemic spread. Politicized rhetoric about vaccines also drove decisions in some parts of the country to end data reporting. As of this spring, only seven states continued to publish data on cases and deaths more than once a week. There is still much to do to fix the hodgepodge of antiquated, disconnected surveillance data systems that exist across governments.

☆ Coronation travel guide: Transport advice, London hotels and where to watch
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Take the Conrad London St. James, for example, which sits between the Mall and Westminster Abbey. Most of the roads around Westminster Abbey and St. James’s Park Underground station will be blocked off. How to see the coronationCharles and Camilla will ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony. Niklas Halle'n/AFP/Getty ImagesThe coronation itself will take place on the morning of Saturday May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Royal Windsor Racecourse, near Windsor Castle, and on the bank of the River Thames, is having a race night to celebrate the day’s public holiday.

☆ This organization built an app to boost financial literacy among older LGBTQ+ Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Willie B. Thomas | DigitalVision | Getty ImagesFinancial stability is a concern for many older Americans, and challenges can be greater among marginalized groups such as elders in the LGBTQ+ community. But a free financial literacy app called SAGECents is looking to change that. What's worse, 1 in 5 older LGBTQ+ adults faced poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic, a 2023 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law found. "They've faced a lifetime of discrimination and social stigma," said Christina DaCosta, chief experience officer at SAGE, a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBTQ+ people. Older LGBTQ+ Americans are more likely to be single and to live alone, making them less likely to benefit from a partner's health insurance or other "social welfare structures," he said.

☆ Fintech firm Klarna overhauls its app with a TikTok-like discovery feed as A.I. hype swirls
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

According to David Sandstrom, Klarna's chief marketing officer, the firm took inspiration from Chinese tech platforms, which he said have mastered the art of algorithm driven-shopping. The Klarna app has been redesigned to tailor product recommendations to users based on their shopping habits using artificial intelligence. Klarna and other buy now, pay later products proved popular during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, buy now, pay later has come under scrutiny from regulators because of fears that it is pushing some consumers, particularly younger people, into arrears. In the U.K., the government has proposed new rules aimed at adding some friction to the process of applying for a buy now, pay later loan.

☆ Ima Keithel: The world’s largest women-run market
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —At first glance, Ima Keithel is much like any other market. Priya Kharaibam, for example, is the third generation of her family’s pottery traders at Ima Keithel, following on from her grandmother. The creation of Ima Keithel dates back to the 16th century Kangleipak Kingdom, when it began as a makeshift, open-air market for bartering crops. An overhead shot of a busy afternoon at Ima Keithel. We want to be responsible mothers.”These days Ima Keithel is a microcosm of Manipur’s egalitarian society.

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