age verification
UK iPhone and iPad Users Can Watch Porn Again
Following the latest iOS update which requires UK mobile Apple device users to verify their ages, Pornhub’s parent company Aylo is lifting its ban—but only for people using iPads and iPhones.
AI
OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft Back Bill to Fund ‘AI Literacy’ in Schools
A new bill introduced by Senators Adam Schiff and Mike Rounds would award grants to the National Science Foundation—which has endured massive funding cuts under the Trump Administration for science research—to put “AI literacy” in schools.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Big Questions of Consciousness
This week, we discuss a wild message, a new anthology, and a visit to a museum.
Podcast
Podcast: How This Trippy Image Started A Massive Conspiracy Theory
A magic eye that isn't, an AI learning tool that sucks, and more in this week's podcast.
AI
University Professors Disturbed to Find Their Lectures Chopped Up and Turned Into AI Slop
ASU Atomic, a new tool in beta at Arizona State University, takes faculty lectures and chops them into extremely short clips, that AI then attempts to turn into learning materials.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Waiting in the Apple Store
This week, we discuss Tim Cook, Meta layoffs, and a very bad ad.
ai psychosis
Researchers Simulated a Delusional User to Test Chatbot Safety
Grok and Gemini encouraged delusions and isolated users, while the newer ChatGPT model and Claude hit the emotional brakes.
Podcast
Podcast: How Algorithms Make Us Feel Bad and Weird
Lost in the wedding algorithm sauce, "clean rooms" for AI, and founders obsessed with "tokenmaxxing" in this week's 404 Media Podcast.
Podcast
Why Journalists Are Going Indie (with Maddy Myers)
Maddy and Sam get into the launch of Mothership and the importance of owning one's own work.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Jazz and Journalism
This week, we discuss the Madonna-whore algorithm, reader tips, and jazz.
Deepfakes
App Stores Push Users Toward Nudify Apps, New Research Shows
Findings from the Tech Transparency Project claim that Google and Apple’s app stores not only host harmful apps that can undress images of women, but encourage users to find them.
I Almost Lost My Mind in the Bridal Algorithm
As a #2026Bride, the constant, aggressive content started to make me feel like I was losing sight of what mattered. And I'm far from alone.