AI
Google Is Quietly Buying Code From Play Store Developers to Train AI
Google is trying to buy code from some Android developers as part of a "confidential" program.
AI
Microsoft Wants to 'Make People Addicted' to its New AI Assistant, Internal Documents Reveal
Planning documents for "Scout" say the plan is to "make people addicted" to the tool before adding new features.
Meta
Hackers Simply Asked Meta AI to Give Them Access to High-Profile Instagram Accounts. It Worked
The exploit shows the extreme risk of offloading technical support to AI.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Being New and Some Numbers
This week, we discuss going deeper and Google's search changes.
Flock
Cities Are Covering Flock Cameras With Trash Bags
Regretful cities aren't sure how to cancel their surveillance contracts, so they are literally covering their cameras.
AI
‘Lobotomized’: Character.AI Is Showing What AI Enshittification Looks Like
Ads everywhere. Usage limits. Frustrating guardrails. Less model choice. Users of the Character.AI chatbot app are revolting after a series of changes they say have made the app worse.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: The Attention Wars
This week, we discuss Spencer Pratt, bricking phones, and the FTC.
Flock
After Town Bans Flock, Councilmember Crashes Out, Proposes Internet and Phone Ban
A Texas councilmember will propose “a total ban on all cellular and GPS-capable devices for all operations within city limits" and"a total termination of all internet services."
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: New Music and a Crash Out
This week, we discuss developers' AI woes, how the magic happens, and the Beach Boys.
AI
Internet of Shit: AI Poop Analysis App Offered to Sell Me Database of Its Users' Poops
"I hoarded a large database of something valuable, just not what you expect… 150k stools images."
Washington Post
At Least We Know the Washington Post Isn't Buying Views
Jeff Bezos learns being good at YouTube is not so easy.
AI
Your AI Use Is Breaking My Brain
AI writing is impossible to avoid, is making everything sound the same, and is driving us crazy.