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Business
PayPal Launches AI Chat Shopping: Here's How The New Feature Works PayPal Launches AI Chat Shopping: Here's How The New Feature Works
PayPal Launches AI Chat Shopping: Here's How The New Feature Works An artificial intelligence search engine will soon help Americans buy products, book trips, and check out with PayPal or Venmo in online chats. Perplexity is teaming up with the financial technology giant for the new chat-based shopping experience, PayPal announced on Wednesday, May 14. The service is expected to be available in the US in the summer. Shoppers can make purchases within chat prompts on Perplexity Pro. "This partnership unlocks new possibilities, where conversations now drive commerce," said PayPal president and CEO Alex Chriss. "We're making it easy and secure…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve'
Bill Gates To Donate Nearly All His Wealth In 20 Years: 'Too Many Urgent Problems To Solve' Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he'll give away virtually all of his fortune and permanently close his foundation by the end of 2045. Gates announced his massive philanthropy plans in a blog post on his website on Thursday, May 8. The billionaire also said the third-largest charitable foundation in the world will be shuttered on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2045. The Seattle businessman said he'll donate more than $100 billion over the next 20 years in what he calls the "last chapter" of his career. The Gates Foundation was created in 2000 by Gates and his ex-wife Melinda Gates French. …

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by Chris Spiker
News
AI Brings Hudson Valley Man Back To Life For Impact Statement In Road Rage Sentencing: Report AI Brings Hudson Valley Man Back To Life For Impact Statement In Road Rage Sentencing: Report
AI Brings Hudson Valley Man Back To Life For Impact Statement In Road Rage Sentencing: Report Even though a New York native was fatally shot in a 2021 road rage incident in Arizona, that did not stop him from reading an impact statement during his killer's sentencing with the help of artificial intelligence. Dutchess County native Christopher Pelkey, who was born in Poughkeepsie, was killed at the age of 37 by Gabriel Paul Horcasitas in a confrontation in Chandler, Arizona in November 2021, according to a report by ABC15 Arizona.  Years later, during Horcasitas's sentencing proceedings for the killing on Thursday, May 1, Pelkey did the previously impossible—…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Netflix Makes Major Changes To Homepage, Adding AI-Powered Searches: See What's New Netflix Makes Major Changes To Homepage, Adding AI-Powered Searches: See What's New
Netflix Makes Major Changes To Homepage, Adding Ai-powered Searches: See What's New Netflix is rolling out a new TV experience that promises faster searching, better suggestions, and a cleaner look. The redesigned TV homepage is part of several changes Netflix announced on Wednesday, May 7. The update features more visible shortcuts and smarter recommendations that adjust to a user's mood and interests. Netflix is also testing out a new mobile search tool that uses generative artificial intelligence. "Obviously, everything starts with great shows and movies that people love," said chief technology officer Elizabeth Stone. "But if you think about all of the areas wher…

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by Chris Spiker
Sports
NY Native Kemba Walker, Russell Westbrook Launch AI Funeral Service: See What It Does NY Native Kemba Walker, Russell Westbrook Launch AI Funeral Service: See What It Does
NY Native Kemba Walker, Russell Westbrook Launch AI Funeral Service: See What It Does Two teammates who won a national title at UConn and another basketball star are dishing out assists to people in mourning with a funeral service powered by artificial intelligence. Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, retired all-star Kemba Walker, and former Huskies co-captain Donnell Beverly Jr. are launching the digital concierge called Eazewell, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, May 7. The AI service hopes to help grieving families with faster, simpler ways to plan funerals and other memorials. Beverly, who won the 2011 NCAA championship alongside Walker, sai…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
GoFundMe Launches Pro Version After Reaching $40B Donation Milestone: Here's Why GoFundMe Launches Pro Version After Reaching $40B Donation Milestone: Here's Why
GoFundMe Launches Pro Version After Reaching $40B Donation Milestone: Here's Why GoFundMe is launching a new platform for nonprofits that aims to transform how charities fundraise. The popular fundraising platform unveiled GoFundMe Pro on Tuesday, May 6. The upgraded version brings together GoFundMe's wide reach with advanced tools built for professional fundraisers. The launch comes as GoFundMe has passed the $40 billion mark for money raised for charities and people in need since the company began in 2010. Nearly 200 million people and organizations have used GoFundMe to give or receive help in 15 years. GoFundMe Pro combines the company's large-scale givin…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
Pope Donald I? Trump's AI Image As Holy Father Sparks Catholic Outrage Pope Donald I? Trump's AI Image As Holy Father Sparks Catholic Outrage
Pope Donald I? Trump's AI Image As Holy Father Sparks Catholic Outrage Pope Donald The First?  Many are up in arms after President Donald Trump posted an AI image of himself as the Pope on Truth Social, which was then shared on the official White House social media pages.  "Why would he do this? It’s not funny, and I am not a (C)atholic, I am a believer in Christ, but this I feel (this is) very inappropriate and I actually am concerned if he really posted it or someone else (did)," one person posted on Twitter. I love Trump but find his Pope meme disrespectful and insulting. God will not be mocked. Not a wise decisionThat said I pray for hi…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Jeff Bezos Selling Billions In Amazon Stock Amid Focus On Politics, Space Travel Jeff Bezos Selling Billions In Amazon Stock Amid Focus On Politics, Space Travel
Jeff Bezos Selling Billions In Amazon Stock Amid Focus On Politics, Space Travel Billionaire Jeff Bezos is planning to unload millions of Amazon shares, which could be worth about $5 billion. Bezos will sell up to 25 million Amazon shares, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, May 2. The sales are expected to be completed by Friday, May 29, 2026. The shares could be worth up to $5 billion, depending on their value when sold. The tech giant's stock opened at $191.90 per share on May 2, down about 21% from its record high in early February. Bezos, who serves as Amazon's executive chair, founded the company a…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Meta Launches AI App To Compete With ChatGPT: Here's What It Does Meta Launches AI App To Compete With ChatGPT: Here's What It Does
Meta Launches AI App To Compete With ChatGPT: Here's What It Does Meta released its first standalone artificial intelligence app that aims to compete with ChatGPT. The Meta AI app officially launched in the US and other countries on Tuesday, April 29. The app was built off the company's new Llama 4 model, giving it the ability to respond to voice or text, generate images, and remember personal details. Meta AI connects across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It also serves as the companion app for Meta's smart glasses. Inspired by social media, the app features a Discover feed where users can share how they're using AI and try popu…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Earn Miles On Major Airline With Uber Rides, Food Orders: Here's How Earn Miles On Major Airline With Uber Rides, Food Orders: Here's How
Earn Miles On Major Airline With Uber Rides, Food Orders: Here's How Delta SkyMiles members can now earn miles every time they ride with Uber or order from Uber Eats under a new partnership. The program officially launched on Tuesday, April 22, giving early access to SkyMiles members who had signed up for a waitlist. All other customers can start linking their accounts on Thursday, April 24, according to a news release. The move ends the airline's longtime partnership with Lyft and marks a new chapter for the SkyMiles loyalty program as Delta celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. "SkyMiles membership is about giving Delta's loyal customers more ways to …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
These Jobs Could Disappear Due To AI, Experts Say These Jobs Could Disappear Due To AI, Experts Say
These Jobs Could Disappear Due To AI, Experts Say As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, Americans and experts alike are bracing for major disruption in the workplace—but which jobs could vanish in the process? A new report from the Pew Research Center, published on Thursday, April 3, reveals a striking consensus among both US adults and AI experts: cashiers are among the likeliest occupations to be displaced by artificial intelligence over the next two decades. Roughly three-quarters of respondents in both groups expect AI to lead to fewer cashier jobs in the US by 2045.  More than half also foresee job losses among factory wo…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Popular Sauce Brand Responds To Education Secretary Linda McMahon's AI Gaffe Popular Sauce Brand Responds To Education Secretary Linda McMahon's AI Gaffe
Popular Sauce Brand Responds To Education Secretary Linda McMahon's AI Gaffe A popular bottled sauce brand is sizzling after US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon mistakenly referred to AI (short for Artificial Intelligence) as "A1." McMahon made the blunder repeatedly when speaking at an annual gathering of education and learning leaders, the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit, in San Diego last week. "Kids are sponges," McMahon said at one point. "They just absorb everything. “It wasn’t all that long ago that it was, ‘We’re going to have internet in our schools!’” McMahon said. “Whoop! Now let’s see A1” — pronouncing it 'A-One' instead of 'A-Eye' — “and how can…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Sam's Club Releases Biggest Expansion Plan In Decades: Here's What's Changing Sam's Club Releases Biggest Expansion Plan In Decades: Here's What's Changing
Sam's Club Releases Biggest Expansion Plan In Decades: Here's What's Changing Sam's Club is planning its biggest expansion in many years – and shoppers across the country will see the difference. The wholesale retailer said it plans to double its membership and more than double its sales and profits over the next eight to 10 years. Sam's Club outlined its strategy during Walmart's 2025 Investment Community Meeting on Friday, April 11. The $90 billion business expects to open about 15 new stores a year while remodeling all of its nearly 600 current locations. "This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today," president an…

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by Chris Spiker
News
NY Man Tries Using AI Avatar In Court — Judge Shuts It Down In Seconds (VIDEO) NY Man Tries Using AI Avatar In Court — Judge Shuts It Down In Seconds (VIDEO)
NY Man Tries Using AI Avatar In Court — Judge Shuts It Down In Seconds (Video) A New York man tried to argue his court appeal with the help of an AI-generated avatar. Justices weren't amused. The bizarre moment unfolded during a hearing before the Appellate Division’s First Department on Wednesday, March 26, and was captured on the court’s official YouTube channel. Jerome Dewald, the plaintiff in a contract dispute, had been granted permission to play a pre-recorded video to support his oral argument. “The appellant has submitted a video for his argument,” Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels announced, before instructing the courtroom to begin playback. The screen flic…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
YouTube Shorts Launches New Editing Tools As TikTok Ban Deadline Looms YouTube Shorts Launches New Editing Tools As TikTok Ban Deadline Looms
YouTube Shorts Launches New Editing Tools As TikTok Ban Deadline Looms YouTube is unveiling new creation tools on its shorter video platform that directly competes with TikTok, which faces another potential US ban. Five features are coming to YouTube Shorts later in the spring, YouTube said in a blog post on Thursday, April 3. The announcement was made just two days before a federal deadline that could pull TikTok from app stores. The new YouTube Shorts features include beat-synced editing, image and artificial intelligence-generated stickers, upgraded templates, and a redesigned video editor. "Say hello to the new and improved video editor, which has be…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Amazon Tries To Buy TikTok Days Before Possible US Ban: Report Amazon Tries To Buy TikTok Days Before Possible US Ban: Report
Amazon Tries To Buy TikTok Days Before Possible US Ban: Report Amazon has made a surprise, last-minute offer to buy TikTok's US business, just days before a federal deadline that could pull the app from hundreds of millions of phones, according to a report. The online retail giant's push to buy the popular video app was first reported by the New York Times on Wednesday, April 2. The proposal comes as TikTok faces a potential ban unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance finds a US-based buyer by Saturday, April 5. The offer was sent in a letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a person briefed on t…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Major Upgrade Now Available Across Apple Devices: What’s Inside Major Upgrade Now Available Across Apple Devices: What’s Inside
Major Upgrade Now Available Across Apple Devices: What’s Inside Apple is rolling out a sweeping software update packed with new tools, privacy-forward AI features, and expanded support for users worldwide. The latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS—iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 — are now available after being launched late in the day on Monday, March 31. The update brings Apple Intelligence capabilities to more regions and languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Simplified Chinese. English localization has also expanded to Singapore and India. For the first time, iPhone and iP…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
'OG Facebook' Returns With Revamped Friends Tab In Meta's Latest Change 'OG Facebook' Returns With Revamped Friends Tab In Meta's Latest Change
'OG Facebook' Returns With Revamped Friends Tab In Meta's Latest Change Meta is hoping to bring back the original Facebook experience with a new Friends tab that shows only content from friends, removing recommended posts and ads.  The feature launched in the US and Canada on Thursday, Mar. 27. The addition is part of a broader effort to restore Facebook's original focus on connecting friends, according to Meta. The revamped feed only highlights content from friends, eliminating recommended posts and ads. "The new Friends tab is a throwback to OG Facebook when you only saw friends' status updates," CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted. "More OG Facebook coming soon…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Parakeets Talking May Unlock Breakthroughs In Speech Disorder, Stroke Therapies: NYU Study Parakeets Talking May Unlock Breakthroughs In Speech Disorder, Stroke Therapies: NYU Study
Parakeets Talking May Unlock Breakthroughs In Speech Disorder, Stroke Therapies: NYU Study Parakeet brains and their ability to mimic human talking could help people suffering from speech disorders, according to a new study. For the first time, scientists at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine recorded brain activity in parakeets as the birds made sounds. The researchers' findings were published in the scientific journal Nature on Wednesday, Mar. 19. The NYU study found that parakeet brains generate patterns previously observed only in humans while speaking. The findings may help guide future treatments for speech disorders like apraxia, which affects spee…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From AI-Powered Amazon Shops: FTC
Scammers Stole $14M+ Promising Passive Income From Ai-powered Amazon Shops: FTC A federal court has temporarily shut down an online business that regulators accused of deceiving consumers out of more than $14 million with false promises of big earnings through artificial intelligence-powered online stores, officials said. The Federal Trade Commission said Click Profit, operating under names like FBALaunch and Automation Industries, misled consumers into believing they could earn large sums in passive income by selling products on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok. The FTC announced the legal action against Click Profit in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 18…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Google Purchasing NY-Based Cybersecurity Startup Wiz In Landmark $32B Deal Google Purchasing NY-Based Cybersecurity Startup Wiz In Landmark $32B Deal
Google Purchasing Ny-based Cybersecurity Startup Wiz In Landmark $32B Deal Google is acquiring New York City-based cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion in one of the largest cybersecurity acquisitions in history. Google announced the all-cash deal to purchase Wiz in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 18. If the deal is approved, Wiz will be officially integrated into Google Cloud. The acquisition comes as online threats increase, with artificial intelligence-driven risks and multicloud security challenges growing more complex. Google Cloud executives said the deal will enhance cybersecurity offerings, lower costs for customers, and improve protection across m…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Meta's Community Notes To Use Tech From Elon Musk's Social Media Platform Meta's Community Notes To Use Tech From Elon Musk's Social Media Platform
Meta's Community Notes To Use Tech From Elon Musk's Social Media Platform Meta's new Community Notes system will be based on algorithms developed by billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform, the company said. Meta will begin testing the crowdsourced program that aims to prevent misinformation on Tuesday, Mar. 18, the tech giant said in a blog post on Thursday, Mar. 13. The move comes as Meta replaces its third-party fact-checking program in the US for Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Community Notes are part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's broader shift toward what he calls "free expression" on the company’s platforms. "We’re going to take time to …

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by Chris Spiker
News
Trump, CAIR, SJP Release Statements On Columbia Protest Organizer Held By ICE In NJ Trump, CAIR, SJP Release Statements On Columbia Protest Organizer Held By ICE In NJ
Trump, CAIR, SJP Release Statements On Columbia Protest Organizer Held By ICE In NJ A Columbia University graduate detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now at the center of a political firestorm as the Trump administration slashes federal funding to the school and enforces new visa restrictions targeting international students linked to protests. Mahmoud Khalil Detained Amid Federal Crackdown Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and recent Columbia graduate, was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday, March 8, outside his university-owned apartment in New York City. ICE claims his student visa was revoked, but …

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Columbia University Protest Organizer, Green Card Holder, Held By ICE On Unknown Charges Columbia University Protest Organizer, Green Card Holder, Held By ICE On Unknown Charges
Columbia University Protest Organizer, Green Card Holder, Held By ICE On Unknown Charges A Columbia University graduate who helped organize the campus’s Gaza solidarity encampment has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite being a legal permanent resident, advocates say. DHS Agents Detain Activist At His Home Mahmoud Khalil was taken into custody by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers at his New York City home around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, according to advocates. The two plainclothes agents allegedly followed Khalil and his eight-months-pregnant wife into their apartment building—owned by Columbia—before confronting him without id…

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by Jillian Pikora
Schools
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: Survey Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: Survey
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: Survey For high school seniors, spring is a nerve-wracking time as college decisions roll in — but the class of 2025 is more stressed than ever, according to a new survey. The Princeton Review said 73 percent of students and parents reported "high" or "very high" stress over the admissions process. That's the highest level in the 23-year history of the College Hopes & Worries Survey, which had its 2025 edition released on Tuesday, Mar. 4. The 2025 survey polled 9,317 students and parents about a wide variety of college-related issues. Financial Pressures, Testing, AI Concerns Financial s…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse
Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse Retail store closures surged in 2024, reaching their highest levels since the start of the pandemic, a new study said. A total of 7,325 U.S. stores closed in 2024, driven by inflation and an increasing shift toward online shopping, according to retail data firm Coresight Research. The closings marked the steepest decline in brick-and-mortar retail since nearly 10,000 stores closed in 2020. While 5,970 stores opened—the highest yearly number since 2012—closures outpaced openings by a net loss of 1,355 stores.  "Retailers that were unable to adapt supply chains and implement t…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App's parent company will have to pay $175 million for poorly protecting its users from fraud and financial crimes on the payment platform, officials said. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Block to refund up to $120 million to users harmed by fraud, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The parent company of Cash App, which has more than 56 million accounts, must also pay a $55 million fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund. The CFPB found that Block failed to properly investigate unauthorized transactions and deprived users of…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why
Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why The Microsoft 365 bundle price is increasing in the U.S. for the first time in a dozen years as the tech giant adds artificial intelligence tools into longtime products like Microsoft Word. The cost of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions will rise by $3 per month, the company said in a blog post on Thursday, Jan. 16. It's the first price change since the software bundle launched in 2013 under the name "Office 365". Existing subscribers will see the adjustment at their next renewal. "We understand that our customers have a variety of needs and budgets, so we’re committ…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta will cut thousands of employees in the latest move for the controversial company that owns platforms like Facebook and Instagram, according to reports. An internal memo sent to Meta workers said five percent of low-performing employees will be terminated, Bloomberg News reported. The company that also owns WhatsApp and Threads has more than 72,000 employees, according to Meta's most recent quarterly report. A five-percent reduction would mean about 3,600 people could lose their jobs. "I've decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster,…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years
AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years Nearly half of companies worldwide are planning to cut jobs within the next few years as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and automates millions of positions, according to a new global report. The World Economic Forum’s "Future of Jobs Report 2025" outlines the seismic shifts AI will bring to the global workforce, revealing both challenges and opportunities: Job Displacement: The report says 41 percent of companies intent to downsize their workforce globally between 2025 and 2030, particularly in industries reliant on routine and manual tasks such as manufacturing, customer …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent
Ai-enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent A Northern Westchester school district is alerting families after two local households received virtual extortion calls involving scammers who claimed to have kidnapped loved ones.  In a letter to families on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Peekskill City School District Superintendent David Mauricio said two households received "Virtual Kidnapping Extortion Calls," a sophisticated scam where perpetrators falsely claim to have kidnapped a loved one and demand ransom payments.  Using artificial intelligence (AI), these scammers are now replicating family members' voices to make the threats…

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by Ben Crnic